By John Baron
West Leeds residents are being urged to have their say on a scheme to improve safety on busy Leeds and Bradford Road in Bramley.
The scheme follows safety concerns from motorists and residents about speeding and safety on the road.
A package of proposed improvements includes:
- 30mph speed limit on Leeds and Bradford Road, Eric Street through to Intake Lane/Swinnow Lane junction.
- Proposed central hatching to reduce vehicle speeds.
- Widening of footways and reduction of carriageway width at the existing zebra crossing adjacent to the junction with Broadlea Hill.
- New pedestrian islands adjacent at either side of the junction with Fall Park Court, in between existing bus stops adjacent to the junction with Eric Street, and at the junction with Calverley Lane to provide safe crossing facilities to access bus stops.
- Upgrading the Belisha Beacons to full local lighting system with mid-mount beacons.
- Widening of existing pedestrian islands, to improve access to local amenities particularly for wheelchair/pushchair users.
- Widening of footway at the junction of Newlay Lane to reduce crossing distances for pedestrians.
- Proposed on-street parking bays in key locations where parking currently occurs, often partially on the footway.
- The extension of double yellow lines from Rock Lane to bus stop at junction with Whitecote Lane/Rodley Lane.
- Installation of a right turn lane on approach to junction with Intake Lane / Swinnow Lane.
A council spokesperson said: “These proposals have been prepared to improve road safety along the route, and to address local concerns that have been raised about the length of road.”
No locations scored highly enough for consideration of formal pedestrian crossings.
Councillor Kevin Ritchie (Lab, Bramley & Stanningley) has called on highways officers to extend the 30mph speed limit to the full length of the road.
He said: “For consistency it is better to have one speed limit on the road, so little point in switching to 40mph for the section after Bramley Falls park.”
He said officers should ensure there are functioning dropped kerbs at all junctions along the road, and added: “Are there any interventions possible to stop the forbidden right turn from Leeds and Bradford Road into the one way section of Rock Lane?
“I witnessed such an action this week, it is people trying to avoid the traffic lights at Whitecote Hill and occurs too often for my comfort. My feeling from feedback and personal observations little has changed, apart from the day a camera survey was installed.
He also urged them to look at opportunities for a pedestrian island near Whitecote Lane/Coppy Lane, and does not support the extension of double yellow lines towards the bus stop near Upper Rodley Lane
- Cllr Ritchie has urged people to submit their thoughts and feedback on the scheme to Jonas.Nassau@leeds.gov.uk.
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I’d just like to point out that the entirety of the Leeds Bradford Road is a 40mph zone from Stanningley Park to the S-bend corner, at Kirkstall there are signs all the way along it confirming so. The amount of taxi’s that do 30mph along here is frustrating!
That’s not to say I don’t think it should be dropped to 30mph though…
Concerns about speeding??? How??? It needs Police to stand in the 40 mph zone near Bramley Fall Woods car park to pull over and competency/eye test all the Sunday Drivers who dawdle along at 20 mph for no reason causing a massive traffic jam of frustrated drivers. Absolutely do not support reducing the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph.
I drive on this road frequently and have never noticed any problems with the speed limit – mostly people don’t actually hit 40 mph. As for the nitwit trying to turn right into Rock Lane – is there not a No Entry sign? This all seems like solutions to non-existent problems.
Again the car drivers are the problem
Leeds city council spends money on crackpot schemes
that do no good.
Then change it all again a couple or so years
Like horsforth to Dawson corner.
Like 50 mph up hill on dual carriageway not in a urban situation
Where really pedestrians should not be
But they decide that their choice outways what the people say.
Typically then say we are out of money and need to raise
Council tax.
These are the mindless ones that haven’t got a clue what
is actually going on day to day
More pedestrian islands on Leeds and Bradford Road will cause more accidents like the one at the top Rock Lane they have been accidents than before it was there
I walk home from work every night along Leeds Bradford road and believe me they do speed along here boy racers I sometimes shut my eyes as I just can’t understand why they haven’t caused a fatal accident
The most dangerous junction on this road is Calverley Lane. There have been accidents at this junction for years. The parking outside Sutcliffes joinery is bad as they all park on the pavement down one side on run up to traffic lights. There is no car parking facility for the business. When they take a wood delivery the truck blocks the approach to the traffic lights. No point in double yellow lines if no one polices it? Late evening if the lights are on green, then the cars that speed through and all the way up the road is excessive. Widen the opening to the fall woods car park as most cars take an age trying to get round the corner into the car park. The football pitches when in use cause parking on both sides of the road, which is so hazardous when cars try to drive through at 40mph.
100%
More pedestrian islands to make it easier to cross would be good.
A 30mph limit would also be good. The thing about speed is that it feels like you’re making quicker progress, but it just has a concertina effect at the pinch points, like the traffic lights at the bottom to get over Kirkstall Bridge. Driving Leeds Bradford road at 25-30mph would feel weirdly slow, but a steady stream would actually ensure smoother progress through traffic lights.
Dedicated parking bays alongside the park is also a good idea. People do it anyway, might as well make space for it. And having slightly narrower lanes will reduce speeding, because people can’t race through at 60mph on narrower lanes.
Totally agree
Again another waste of money, more traffic chaos. Put the money into social care where it is needed and not on thoughtless schemes that only the few will benefit from.
I’d like to see zebra crossings moved from junctions. The one on broad lane leading onto town street and then down whitecoate is too close putting pedestrians at risk. So town planning need to really think about safety as this just highlights how badly they get it wrong.
Jeez.. more roadworks and hold ups with diversions and delays. The road functions ok as it is. 40mph is fine as it is. More spending and delays where not needed like the stretch of road from Rodley roundabout to Horsforth roundabout.. wtf is going on here and how much longer will it take. It’s a pity we don’t follow our European counterparts and just get cracking with it. Work three 8 hour shifts to get this abomination sorted. Too many workmen sat around picking their arses and getting paid by the hour to do so.
This is a great idea and some welcomed changes for the better, considering the recent crash into the pedestrian crossing at the top of Rock Lane . Many Kids walk to various Schools along this route and this will be great for their safety. I have personally witnessed a few to many near misses. There will be a few delays to do some minor roadworks but in the long will no doubt make this road a safer place to walk, ride and commute through. An added bonus for the elderly, dog walkers and people waiting for public transport. Has my vote