By Sneha Gupta
Kirkstall residents are voicing growing frustration as Morris Lane is set to close again for repair works by Yorkshire Water for at least a day next week.
The busy road has faced repeated disruptions over the past year. It was shut for 10 months months following a major sewer collapse, finally reopening in August, and is now closing again for further maintenance on Tuesday, November 11.
Residents say the ongoing closures have caused severe traffic delays in Kirkstall, disrupted bus services, and hurt trade.
“It’s been a nightmare,” said one resident. “The road only just reopened, and now it’s shutting again. Traffic is constantly backed up, and local shops are losing customers. People are fed up.”
Yorkshire Water has said the latest closure is necessary to complete essential repairs, but locals say they want better planning, communication and transparency moving forward.
Councillor Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall) posted on social media: “We have received the unwelcome news from Yorkshire Water that Morris Lane will be closed on Tuesday, 11 November for one day, possibly two.
“I have asked why this work was not done last week, during half term, which would have caused less disruption. I have also asked them to repair their inadequate job of reinstating the grass verges on Morris Lane, which remain damaged.”
A message sent to councillors by Yorkshire Water said: “My colleagues have been liaising with Leeds Council’s Highways Department as it has been noted that the reinstatement we carried out on Morris Lane (following the sewer collapse and repair) has started to dip; we are very sorry about this.
“The contractors who carried out the work will be returning to site on 11 November to carefully re-level the affected section of road surface and ensure it is restored to the required standard.
“We appreciate that the community in this area have been subject to a great level of disruption and we apologise that we are having to return to carry out this work. However, I am sure you will agree the road surface needs to be reinstated to the proper standard.
“The team will be working from approximately 9.30am on the 11th with two-way lights on Morris Lane and Back De-Lacey Mount will require closing for the day. We expect the works will take no longer than one day, however as a precaution we have the road space booked until the end of the day on Thursday, 13 November.”
Additional reporting: John Baron
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