Council chiefs have thanked residents for their patience as they officially opened three new footbridges at Armley Gyratory.
The footbridges are part of a multi-million-pound scheme to offer improved routes for pedestrians and cyclists negotiating one of Leeds busiest junctions.
The replacement footbridges over Wellington Road (A58), Spence Lane and Gelderd Road are part of wider works worth more than £41.96 million.
The improved infrastructure provides vital links to connect communities like Wortley and Holbeck to the city centre, with more accessible footways and bridges.
Work started in January 2024 to demolish the existing footbridges, which were of a poor standard and approaching life expiry and replace them with more accessible structures.
Overall, the improvements to the Armley Gyratory provide pedestrians and cyclists with more appealing and accessible routes, increased safety for all road users, improved traffic flow and less congestion. More than 660 trees have been planted around the gyratory and in the local community, alongside new landscaping, which has further enhanced the biodiversity of the area.
Council chiefs say the changes to the gyratory have increased vehicle capacity and helped to alleviate congestion at the junction. They are part of transformative highways works to remove through traffic across the city centre, mitigate environmental issues, better connect neighbourhoods, and encourage people to travel on foot or by bike.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “We’re delighted to see Armley Gyratory footbridges fully opened to residents again, across this important scheme to transform travel on a key piece of the city’s infrastructure.
“I’m pleased to see this scheme has completed during some challenging conditions, all while maintaining an essential route and keeping traffic flowing around the city.
“Throughout the project, there’s also been significant contributions to the local economy. For example, contractors have mainly employed local people, supported 218 weeks of apprenticeships and the site team have volunteered 130 hours in the local community. There has been over 100 hours of schools’ engagement and over 60 hours of help to support the under 24s into work.
“This has been a fantastic effort and investment in our local communities. And it’s great to also see almost 100% of waste diverted from landfill, with 620 tonnes of CO2 saved on the project.
“We would like to thank everyone involved in working on this scheme, along with people’s ongoing patience, while this essential project was carried out.”
Councillor Pryor and ward councillors Hunslet and Riverside councillor Paul Wray and Beeston and Holbeck’s Annie Maloney were joined by representatives from the Combined Authority, construction partners Balfour Beatty and the project team to officially open the routes.
The scheme is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.