By John Baron
Council planners have approved proposals for a £7 million foot and cycling bridge over the Outer Ring Ring to improve links between Calverley and Farsley.
The bridge, part of the £23 million Connecting West Leeds project between Horsforth and Pudsey, will be built at the junction between Calverley Lane and the A6120 Leeds Outer Ring Road.
It will be accessed via a spiral ramp on each side provide easy access for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
A planning statement submitted with the application noted the ‘high number of speed-related collisions’ at the location.
It added: “The bridge will play a key role in addressing health inequalities by restoring a significant and historic connection for people walking, wheeling, and cycling between the communities of Calverley and Farsley, which was severed in the 1970s when the A6120 Leeds Outer Ring Road was built.
“It is anticipated the proposed development will result in increased active travel in the area, not only in making new connections between communities, but in tying in with existing active travel and health opportunities, with better health outcomes, reductions to congestion and local air quality improvements.”
A council planning officer’s report approving the scheme, subject to a raft of conditions, conceded: “Overall, it is considered that the proposed footbridge has been developed to a degree that ensures there will be no significant impact on the openness of the green belt.
“Drainage, landscaping and ecology issues have been satisfactorily resolved subject to detailed planning conditions and the completion of a legal agreement, no significant impact on nearby properties in terms of residential amenity (including noise), no objections in terms of flood risk or contamination and an ability to satisfactorily mitigate the effects on habitat and ecology.
“In light of the significance of the public benefit of the scheme, it is considered that the proposals are acceptable and are therefore recommended for approval.”
The report acknowledges a significant number of trees have been removed – 71 in total – to facilitate construction of the footbridge, but says mitigation tree planting will take place off site.
The proposals drew two letters of objection and two of support from local residents.
Construction on the accessible footbridge is already running late as it was due to start last spring.
The overall Connecting West Leeds scheme was originally approved for £20m of government ‘Levelling Up’ funding in 2021. Additional funding has been provided by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
A speed reduction to 50mph on the A6120 Outer Ring Road and A647 Stanningley Bypass, from Horsforth roundabout to Stanningley Bypass at Henconner Lane Bridge has already been implemented, along with road improvements between Rodley roundabout and Horsforth.
The plans can be viewed in full here.
Good to hear of this, though 7 million seems very expensive for a bridge. Its a shame that they can’t put some cameras on this new bridge to do something about the number of drivers turning right on and off the ring road at this junction, despite all the signage.
What a waste of money ! Apart from the odd cyclists who is going to use it it’s too far for pedestrians to walk and it won’t stop the “collisions “ as cars will still have to use the road !,
It’s hardly a waste of money
That crossing is used constantly by pedestrians, many of which are children.
I’m going to use it, as are lots of people who actually get out and walk, it’s long overdue.
Looks fun!
Well over due,should have been built years ago just from a safety point of view.
Yes good idea to encourage walking in the area I would use it
Thought Leeds council were skint 7 million is a joke sure it doesn’t need to be so ornate