Parts of busy Stanningley Bypass will need to close due to the effects of a heatwave – for the third year running.
An email from council highways officers has been circulated by councillors Simon Seary (Pudsey, Conservative) and Peter Carlill (Labour, Calverley and Farsley) saying the Bypass will be closed ton now (Saturday, July 27) near the Owlcotes slip road due to urgent repairs. The email reads:
“We would like to inform you that due to the adverse weather conditions causing a major defect in the carriageway on Stanningley Bypass LCC will be closing the road tomorrow, Sat 27th July, from 07.00 – 16.00.
“The defect has to potential to cause severe Health & Safety issues for road users and/or result in a serious accident.
“The works are to take place just after the Owlcotes slip road so traffic will be diverted along this and re-join the Stanningley Bypass at the Richardshaw junction.”
Similar problems have closed the Bypass, which was built almost 50 years ago, for the previous two years.
Similar problems occurred last year and the year before (pictured at the top of the page), with former Pudsey councillor Richard Lewis saying last June:
“Unfortunately, one of the downsides of the current heatwave is the stress that it puts on our road surfaces.
“Unlike many other roads in Leeds, Stanningley carriageway is particularly vulnerable due to its method of construction using large concrete panels which expand when exposed to very high temperatures.”
Leeds City Council announced last November it was trialling a scheme which would see if additional joints between the concrete slabs would provide the best alternative on the grounds of cost, reduced disruption and reduced impact from noise on surrounding properties.