‘High and dry’ – readers’ anger over possible bus cuts in West Leeds

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March 3, 2023

pudsey bus station — Pudsey Bus Station.

Furious WLD readers have spoken out against the possible axing of some bus services and cuts to others.

As reported earlier this week, bus services – including routes serving West Leeds – could be axed in April by the operator First, and others face cuts to their frequency.

The numbers 87, 64, 47,48, 9 and 9A might all be permanently withdrawn by the company, according to leaked plans.

A further seven West Yorkshire services are at risk of having their frequencies slashed, including numbers 14, X11 and 508.

The planned changes have not been confirmed, but if they go ahead, they are likely to take effect from April 2.

The proposals have been met with anger on social media by bus users in West Leeds.

Eve Fox says her son and a ‘bus full’ of students catch the bus to college and would be left unable to get there.

“9 is the only bus to White Rose Centre also the only bus to Elliott Hudson College … how are students meant to get to college and non drivers to White Rose Centre?” Eve asked.

“I am so cross they may remove this service, my son is at Elliott Hudson college, he already gets the 7am bus because the 8am was always late. not getting him to college until 9.15am. Yesterday and today the bus hasn’t come at all. He’s had to get a bus to Leeds and then to White Rose… he tells me the 7am bus is always full too, so there will be a lot of annoyed people!”

Rhonda Meadmore added: “First Bradford have been actively avoiding picking up waiting passengers on the 508 route on an evening for a while now, they clearly are trying to show there’s no need for the service (been forced to walk home alone at 9/10 pm unexpectedly a few times or wait another hour).

“It’s wonderful living on Leeds & Bradford Road, yet not having a first bus service to Leeds nor Bradford!”

Elaine Trees simply asked: “9 is the only bus from Pudsey to Horsforth. Why?”

Jo Herbert added: “Please don’t change the frequency of the 14! It’s just about the only service from Bramley that consistently gets into the city centre before 9am!”

And Marlene Harwood of Pudsey expressed her frustration. She said: “Annoying [as] not everyone can drive. As a pensioner I don’t want to rely on lifts but it is only 9/9A that connects us to the White Rose and what about people that work there and to Horsforth? Also 14 and X11 will be missed. May as well pull the bus station down because of the trouble it causes with youths.”

“Farnley doesn’t have a lot of buses at the best of times, losing the number 9 is a blow,” said another bus user. “We’re being left high and dry.”

Around 30 more First services were believed to be at risk of changes or withdrawal had the extra DfT funding not been announced, although questions remain about their long-term futures after June.

The move would also be in spite of the Department of Transport (DfT) extending emergency funding for bus operators from the end of March until June.

One Leeds councillor, whose residents would be affected by the proposed changes, said earlier this week that “whole communities are at risk of being cut off” from repeated cuts.

Possible changes in full, according to the leaked plans

Services which could be withdrawn:

9 – White Rose Centre-Pudsey-Farsley-Horsforth

9A – Seacroft-Colton-Swillington-Rothwell-Middleton-White Rose Centre-Pudsey-Farsley-Horsforth

47 – Leeds-Hunslet-Middleton-Morley-White Rose Centre

48 – Wigton Moor-Moortown-Chapeltown-Leeds-Hunslet-Middleton-Morley-White Rose Centre

64 – Leeds-Cross Gates-Barwick-in-Elmet-Aberford

87 – St James’ Hospital-East End Park-Hunslet-Holbeck-Armley-Bramley

Services which could have their frequency cut:

14 – Pudsey-Armley-Leeds-Logic Business Park

X11 – Leeds-Armley-Pudsey

508 – Halifax-Shelf-Thornbury-Leeds

181 – Huddersfield-Cowlersley-Slaithwaite-Wilberlee

183 – Huddersfield-Cowlersley-Slaithwaite-Wilberlee-Marsden

184 – Huddersfield-Cowlersley-Slaithwaite-Wilberlee-Marsden-Lees-Oldham

185 – Huddersfield-Cowlersley-Slaithwaite-Wilberlee-Marsden

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Third of Bramley bus fleet to be fully electric

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March 3, 2023

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bramley bus depot electric — Simon Carlisle (centre left) with Cllr Peter Carlill and members of the Bramley depot team celebrate the Zebra funding success.

A third of the First Bus fleet at its Bramley depot in Leeds will be fully electric by 2024, bus bosses have confirmed today.

As First Bus and the Combined Authority (WYCA) have been successful in securing Department for Transport (DfT) approval to boost their existing Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) project.

This means the company will co-fund an additional 25 double-decker electric buses in Bramley with 58% of the funding provided by First Bus and the remaining 42% from the Government’s ZEBRA scheme.

Additional investment from First Bus totals £8 million and will accelerate the full zero emission transformation of the depot.

Green plans: The FirstBus Depot on Henconner Lane will host a new fleet of electric vehicles. Photo: Google

WLD reported last November that £2.3m plans to install electric charging points at the Henconner Lane depot has been approved by council planners.

Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Cllr Peter Carlill (Calverley & Farsley) said: “Greener buses are always a welcome sight on our road, so I welcome this funding to increase West Yorkshire’s fleet of them.

“People living in our region have a right to expect clean air, which is why the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has targeted a net zero carbon economy by 2038, with a focus on transport.

“We still have plenty of work to do, but these new buses, as well as the improvements we’re making to the Bramley depot, put us well on our way to achieving a greener and healthier future for our region.”

Simon Carlisle, Engineering Director of First Bus in West Yorkshire, said: “This sets us on a clear path to transforming Bramley and expanding our electric bus fleet in Leeds.

“We are delighted to be accelerating investment, supported by co-funding from the Department for Transport. As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the Government and Combined Authority ambition for a net-zero carbon transport system.

“We are excited to take our people on this journey with us and look forward to the Bramley project coming to fruition and the first vehicles going into service for our customers.”

This latest boost represents a total investment from First Bus in Leeds of £15.8m, alongside ZEBRA funding of £12.6m. It follows First Bus’s ZEBRA success last year, which saw the operator place an order for 32 electric buses for Bramley as part of the largest purchase of EV buses to date with a total of 193 vehicles from British manufacturer Wrightbus.

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Elida Gibbs Playing Fields listed as asset of community value

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March 3, 2023

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Playing fields in Burley have been listed as assets of community value in a bid to preserve them, council documents have confirmed.

Elida Gibbs Playing Fields, on Stanmore Street, has been listed as an asset of community value, following a nomination from Leeds Hyde Park Football Club, which is an unincorporated group.

The Elida Gibbs playing fields are currently used as full sized football pitches by nominator, Leeds Hyde Park Football Club.

A council report said: “The nominator advises that these playing fields are the only site within the immediate locality that offer full-sized football pitches for the use of their teams.

“These teams have proven very popular, with interest growing significantly over the last year, and it is anticipated that this membership will increase further over the next few years, generating more subscription fees and further income for the club, bolstering its viability, and that of the use of the site, in the long-term.

“The nominator advises that should the use of the Elida Gibbs playing fields become unavailable as a sporting facility for the local community, there would be no alternative site in the local area with the same facilities that would be able to be used by the club.

“This would be insensitive to the social interest needs and capabilities of the local community who use the site, some of which would be unable to travel the distance to and from this site. The club also acts as a crucial part of integrating new arrivals into the community.”

The report adds that the Elida Gibbs playing fields are also used regularly by other members of the local community for informal leisure activities and dog walking.

“As such, the designation of the site as an Asset of Community Value would serve to protect the social wellbeing of the members of the local community that currently use it,” it adds.

Parts of the ground are regularly used by Leeds Rhinos fans for parking.

The council’s report can be read in full here.

According to Kirkstall.net, the sports pitches off Stanmore Terrace in Burley were acquired by the Council around 1983 though a land swap promoted by the Kirkstall councillors and engineered by George Mudie when he was council leader.

The ground originally belonged to Taylors Drug Company, whose original premises can still be seen on Burley Road nearby. In 1935 this firm became the retail chemists Timothy Whites and Taylors. They were subsequently taken over by Boots, and finished as part of the Elida Gibbs toothpaste and cosmetics conglomerate, which is now part of Unilever.

There is a local myth that the name marks some bequest or trust, but these were ordinary commercial transactions. Elida Gibbs were moving to Seacroft and tried to sell their sports ground in Burley for house building. They were persuaded to pass it to the council, but acquired another council site in exchange.

A visit to ‘Kirkstall Forge’ – an exhibition at Armley Mills

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westleedslife

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March 2, 2023

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Kirkstall forge exhibition — The physical exhibits are eclectic. Here a satchel with brass plates showing ownership by a succession of the Butler family. Then a letter dated 1824 mixing business and family matters. Then a hub cap from the axel of a horse drawn cart - staple production of the forge at the time. Photo: Ivor Hughes

By Ivor Hughes

Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills plugs itself as being a museum of 1,000 trades.

One of those trades, iron forging, is the subject of a small though well researched exhibition – Hammer Heart: Seven Centuries of Kirkstall Forgerunning until 8 October.

The exhibition acknowledges the creation of a forge in the thirteenth century by the Cistercian monks at Kirkstall Abbey.

What a curious item! Ambrose Butler and Isabella Holgate exchanged love letters between 1837 and their marriage in 1841. Their son Hugh collated them and published this book privately in 1939. Original copies are available from online sellers for between £30 and £60. Photo: Ivor Hughes

Though it focuses mainly on the post-industrial incarnation under the ownership and innovation of six generations of the Butler family in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The exhibition was facilitated by Aleks Fagelman (museum staff) and is being co-curated by local volunteers.

Open Tuesday to Friday and Bank Holiday Mondays 10am-5pm, weekends 12pm-5pm.

Owlcotes Academy Trust marks fifth birthday with reading initiative

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March 2, 2023

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Calverley parkside — Celebration: Youngsters at Calverley Parkside Primary

An academy trust which runs four West Leeds schools is celebrating its fifth birthday by boosting the schools’ library and reading offer.

The Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust was established in March 2018 by two founding primary schools, Pudsey Primrose Hill and Pudsey Waterloo, with the aim of developing a collaborative approach to school improvement, and a commitment to preserving the unique identity of any schools that join.

The Trust has grown in size by adding Calverley Parkside and Armley Park schools and says more schools which will be joining shortly.

Lesley West, Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am proud of our achievements since our establishment in March 2018.

Celebration time at Pudsey Waterloo Primary School.

“Owlcotes was set up with a genuine desire to provide an excellent education for all pupils. Collaboration is at the heart of our Trust; each school is an equal partner and our dedicated staff are committed to providing an inclusive and ambitious curriculum for all of our pupils.

“There is an emphasis on developing collaborative learning communities and networks across our Trust, to continue to develop good practice within our philosophy of ‘Working Together to Achieve Excellence’.

Smiles better at Armley Park Primary School.

“We firmly believe in schools having their own individuality. This preservation of unique identity enables our schools to focus on the key priorities of teaching and learning that are specific to their own schools and communities.

“The anniversary of the formation of the Trust is a time for celebration. I am hugely proud of what we have achieved so far and would like to thank everyone involved with Owlcotes Trust for their contribution to our continuing success.”

Owlcotes also works with schools outside the Trust, offering school improvement support, a coaching programme ‘ElevatED’, and initial teacher training through the School Direct route into teaching.

Government confirms 25 electric buses for FirstBus Bramley depot as part of Yorkshire rollout

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March 2, 2023

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first bus depot henconner lane bramley — Green plans: The FirstBus Depot on Henconner Lane will host a new fleet of electric vehicles. Photo: Google

Public transport users across Yorkshire will enjoy greener, cleaner journeys as an extra 34 British-made electric buses are rolled out thanks to £7.6 million in Government investment.

The latest investment announced today means that the First Bus York depot will operate fully electric fleets by March 2024, one of the first bus depots in the UK outside London to reach this milestone.

Meanwhile, the government has confirmed 25 brand new electric buses will also be introduced at the Bramley bus depot in Henconner Lane bringing the total number of electric buses funded by the ZEBRA scheme in West Yorkshire to 136.

WLD reported last November that £2.3m plans to install electric charging points at the Bramley depot has been approved by council planners.

The funding comes from an extra £25.3 million rolled out nationwide to pave the way for the Government’s ambitious rollout of zero emission buses (ZEBs).

The funding is an additional investment from the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, which was launched in 2021 to allow local transport authorities to bid for funding for zero emission buses and supporting infrastructure.

The move brings total Government funding from the ZEBRA scheme to almost £300 million for up to 1,395 zero emission buses in England.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

“Buses are the most popular form of public transport, and these new British-built zero emission buses will help clean up the air in communities across Yorkshire.

“We’re providing an additional £7.6 million to roll out 34 new electric buses to provide residents in Yorkshire with better, cleaner and quieter journeys, as we step up a gear to reach net zero faster and level up transport across the country.”

Zero-emission buses are also often cheaper to run, improving the economics for bus operators. All these additional buses funded through the ZEBRA scheme are battery electric.

This latest investment will support British manufacturing around the country. The new buses will be manufactured in Northern Ireland by Wrightbus and operated by FirstBus, supporting hundreds of new high-skilled jobs to help level up and grow the economy.

Janette Bell, Managing Director at First Bus said:

“We are delighted to be accelerating investment in the electrification of our bus fleet and infrastructure, supported by co-funding from the Department for Transport. As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the Government’s ambitions for a net-zero carbon transport system. We are rapidly transforming our business with zero emission bus fleets and will continue to work closely with central and local government across the UK to deliver our decarbonisation plans.”

The move is part of the Government’s wider £3 billion National Bus Strategy to significantly improve bus services, with lower and simpler fares, more integrated ticketing and higher frequencies.

Mini-market returns to Bramley this Saturday

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March 1, 2023

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By Paul Abraham www.theartfulrambler.com

Saturday 4 March brings the welcome and eagerly anticipated return of the Bramley Community Market at the Bramley Community Centre on Waterloo Lane.

The event runs from 10am until 2pm and features local small businesses.

The market caters for every taste, requirement and pocket, with stalls including hand-made items and gifts, toys, books, sweets and everyones favourite, a cake stall!

Organiser and the driving force behind the market, Wendi Halthwaite has brought a varied array of stalls to the market.

As one regular stallholder remarked: “Without doubt, this is my favourite market to attend as there is always a lovely welcoming feel at this event. The stallholders are all friendly and approachable to fellow stallholders and visitors alike and so creates a real “community” feel. It’s a brilliant way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday.”

Calls to demolish ‘monstrosity’ fish pass blighting the River Aire

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westleedslife

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March 1, 2023

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By John Baron

CONCERNED residents are calling for urgent action to demolish an ‘eyesore’ fish pass at 332-year-old Newlay Weir, which was badly damaged during a storm two years ago.

An independent report confirmed last year that the construction of the fish pass is likely to have contributed towards the Grade II Listed weir being badly damaged during Storm Christophe.

Large parts of the weir, which dates back to 1690, were washed downstream in February 2021 as works to install the fish pass were carried out.

Two years on, local residents are becoming increasingly concerned over what they claim to be inaction over deciding the future of the Grade II Listed weir.

river-aire-newlay-weir-damage-7 — Flashback to February 2021 and the damage at Newlay Weir. Photo: Mark Stevenson

They are now calling for the ‘monstrous’ and unsightly fish pass to be demolished as they say it is blighting the area.

Chair of Newlay Conservation Society, Martin Hughes, described the overall process as ‘incredibly slow’.

“People feel what’s left of the old weir should be conserved if it’s not going to be restored.

“People want to see the fish pass – which is doing nothing and is a lump of concrete – demolished.

“We’re left with a monstrosity – an eyesore. Removing it and tidying the area up is something that can be done now.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen to the weir, it seems to have been forgotten. I can see this going on for years and years.”

The fish pass at Newlay Weir at the time of the collapse in 2021. Photo: Mark Stevenson

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We’d like to reassure the community that we are still actively working towards a long-term solution for the future of Newlay Weir.

“A community survey carried out last summer helped us evaluate what options are available. The survey results we published in January this year demonstrate that there are polarising opinions, all of which we are considering.

“We understand this process is taking longer than the community or we would have liked but the complexities of the location with its significant heritage, biodiversity and local value means we cannot progress this alone and are working with several other organisations.

“We’ll be carrying out further community engagement as we progress an appropriate solution.”

At the time of the collapse work was being carried out on the £2.7 million DNAire project to install fish passes at Newlay, Armley, Kirkstall and Saltaire.

The Larinier fish pass along the right bank of Newlay Weir was designed to allow passage over the weir for salmon and sea trout which migrate from the Humber Estuary to the headwaters of the River Aire.

Former Pudsey headteacher’s stress and burnout tips

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March 1, 2023

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By Amy Downes

UK workers are feeling stressed and close to burnout – and a Farsley wellbeing coach is warning it may be down to a phenomenon called the ‘Self-Development Trap’.

According to research conducted by Westfield Health, close to half (46%) of UK workers are close to burnout and more than three-quarters (79%) of the respondents have considered leaving their current job due to stress.

Despite this, according to LinkedIn, a huge number of people (74% of their users) are currently investing in new skills to improve their prospects and combat the potential effects that the cost-of-living crisis could have on their careers.

Farsley business-woman Clare Downham has warned this pressure to keep developing can all too often become the cause of stress and burnout, and she’s sharing her own experiences to help others avoid the low point she reached because of the ‘Self-Development Trap’.

“I always seemed to have a ‘shopping list’ of things I wanted to improve about myself, and I never got to the end of it. Just as I felt better about one area of my life, something else would rear its ugly head and I would be off again; seeking therapeutic help, reading books and trying to feel okay again.”

Then things escalated.

“I had always been busy, but I reached a new level of busy when I ended my 17-year marriage. I went out nightclubbing, I turned to alcohol for relief, I threw myself into online dating. And I did all this whilst still holding down my job as a headteacher.”

Even with all these activities, Clare still wasn’t happy.

“It was just an ordinary Tuesday when I arrived at school, but the years of frustration, stress and lack of self-care finally became too much. That was the day I didn’t even have the motivation to bend down and switch on my computer.”

Clare walked out of her job as headteacher at a Pudsey school and made her way to the local medical centre, where she was diagnos ed with depression. It was a shock, but she realises now that she had been experiencing burn out.

“After 12 months of being signed off sick from work, I resigned from my 20-year career and trained as a hypnotherapist, a coach and a Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner. I loved helping people to become the best versions of themselves.”

It soon became clear that many of her clients were experiencing the same Self-Development Trap that she had, so she created a free service to help with that: ‘Five Simple Truths to Take You Closer to Calm’.

“If you don’t know you are stressed out, you might not know to do anything about it,” Clare added. “Once you are aware that you might be on the path to burnout, you have an opportunity to start learning about stress and start to feel better.”

The free document is on her website.

Farsley Celtic’s unbeaten run ends with spirited defeat at Fylde

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February 28, 2023

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fylde v farsley celtic — Farsley Celtic fell to defeat at Fylde. Photo: Thomas Ritchie

By John Baron

Farsley Celtic’s seven-match unbeaten came to an end at top-of-the-table AFC Fylde – but Celts boss Russ Wilcox hailed his side’s ‘outstanding’ second half performance.

The 3-1 defeat – with all the goals coming in the first half – leaves the visitors second from bottom in the National League North but equal on points with two other sides and just two points from safety with games in hand over their rivals.

Despite a lively start from the visitors, the home side’s opening goal came after just ten minutes. Fylde’s Siya Ligendza was deemed to have beaten the offside trap and expertly headed over Farsly keeper Max Dearnley and into the net.

Bad went to worse soon after. A well-worked corner routine that saw Nick Haughton pick out Connor Barrett’s late run, his low shot finding the back of the net.

The visitors are always a danger from set pieces, and tonight was no exception. Farsley managed to grab one back through a Tom Allen header from Bobby Johnson’s corner.

But Farsley faced an uphill challenge just before half time, when substitute Will Hatfield made an instant impact, following up on the rebound from Haughton’s effort to add his side’s third.

To their credit, the minnows from Farsley started the second half well, when Mulhern sent Scales racing away, but his strike was parried to safety by Fylde ‘keeper Neal. Carlton Ubaezuonu then flashed a ball across the face of goal as the Celts looked to get back into the game against their more illustrious hosts.

On the hour mark Farsley’s Adam Clayton headed just over from a Bobby Johnson corner as the visitors piled forward.

Danny Philliskirk drove a strike just wide for Fylde on 64 minutes and a few minutes’ later Fylde’s Haughton latched onto Barrett’s pass and hit a strike towards the top corner, which Dearnley did well to save. That was the last action of note as the game finished 3-1 to the hosts.

Having played six of their last eight matches away from home, The Celts will be looking forward to returning to The Citadel on Saturday as they entertain bottom club Telford in a must-win game ahead of next Tuesday’s difficult trip to second-placed Kings Lynn Town.

The Celts then head to Gateshead in the fifth round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, 11 March, before entertaining fellow relegation strugglers Leamington in another crunch home game on Tuesday, 14 March.

Match reaction

Celts boss Russ Wilcox praised ‘outstanding’ second half performance but lamented the ‘cheap goals’ his side gave away the first half:

Lineups

AFC Fylde: Neal; Obi, Whitmore, Conlan, Cranston (Davis, 76), Barrett (Walker, 73), Philliskirk, Haughton, Whitehead, Ligendza, Faal (Hatfield, 44). Unused subs: Malone, Rowley.

Farsley Celtic: Dearnley, Turner, Scales (Wallace, 80), Johnson, Butler, Allan, Clayton, Atkinson, Ubaezuonu, Mulhern (Williams, 60), Devine (Jessop, 73). Unused Subs: Parkin, Butroid.

Williams signs for Farsley Celtic

ew signing: Forward Theo Williams has joined from Sheffield United on a month’s loan

Just before tonight’s game, Farsley Celtic announced the signing of Theo Williams on a one-month loan deal from Sheffield United.

The pacy midfielder/forward has been with the Blades since his early teens, making his debut for their Under 23s side at the age of 15.

Williams originally started off life as a full-back or winger, but has now found himself at home in midfield and as a striker in the U18s and U23s.

The 19-year-old has already gained National League North experience having spent time on loan at Darlington this season, featuring for the Quakers on seven occasions.

Williams made his debut on the hour mark tonight, coming on as substitute for the injured Frank Mulhern at AFC Fylde.

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West Leeds bus services face axe or reduction

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February 28, 2023

12

By David Spereall, local democracy reporter

Six Leeds bus services – including routes serving West Leeds – could be axed in April by the operator First.

The numbers 87, 64, 47,48, 9 and 9A might all be permanently withdrawn by the company, according to leaked plans.

A further seven West Yorkshire services are at risk of having their frequencies slashed.

The planned changes have not been confirmed, but if they go ahead, they are likely to take effect from April 2.

The move would also be in spite of the Department of Transport (DfT) extending emergency funding for bus operators from the end of March until June.

One Leeds councillor, whose residents would be affected by the proposed changes, said “whole communities are at risk of being cut off” from repeated cuts.

They said: “It’s completely taking away people’s basic routines around commuting and leisure, with very little warning and no indication of whether or not they’re going to replaced or reconfigured in the future.

“First should be honest, communicate with people and give them a meaningful heads-up if passengers are going to have to change their whole commute.”

Around 30 more First services were believed to be at risk of changes or withdrawal had the extra DfT funding not been announced, although questions remain about their long-term futures after June.

It’s understood no other local bus operators, including Arriva, are planning to make any cuts in the immediate future. Arriva themselves announced a raft of service withdrawals in the autumn which have already taken effect.

First did not comment when repeatedly approached for comment last week. On Monday, the company said on Twitter it was “continuing to work closely with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to finalise details”, ahead of a March 3 deadline for announcing the changes.

Possible changes in full, according to the leaked plans

Services which could be withdrawn:

9 – White Rose Centre-Pudsey-Farsley-Horsforth

9A – Seacroft-Colton-Swillington-Rothwell-Middleton-White Rose Centre-Pudsey-Farsley-Horsforth

47 – Leeds-Hunslet-Middleton-Morley-White Rose Centre

48 – Wigton Moor-Moortown-Chapeltown-Leeds-Hunslet-Middleton-Morley-White Rose Centre

64 – Leeds-Cross Gates-Barwick-in-Elmet-Aberford

87 – St James’ Hospital-East End Park-Hunslet-Holbeck-Armley-Bramley

Services which could have their frequency cut:

14 – Pudsey-Armley-Leeds-Logic Business Park

X11 – Leeds-Armley-Pudsey

508 – Halifax-Shelf-Thornbury-Leeds

181 – Huddersfield-Cowlersley-Slaithwaite-Wilberlee

183 – Huddersfield-Cowlersley-Slaithwaite-Wilberlee-Marsden

184 – Huddersfield-Cowlersley-Slaithwaite-Wilberlee-Marsden-Lees-Oldham

185 – Huddersfield-Cowlersley-Slaithwaite-Wilberlee-Marsden

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Late-night motorbike riders set for £100 fines in Leeds

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February 28, 2023

9

By David Spereall, local democracy reporter

Nuisance motorbike riders and engine revvers who’ve been plaguing Leeds residents with late-night noise will soon be hit with fines of up to £100.

Leeds City Council will introduce a public space protection order (PSPO) across the city from April 1, following a consultation last year.

The move, which will apply to cars as well motorbikes and quadbikes, aims to crack down on vehicle-related anti-social behaviour.

Drivers and riders who rev their engines too loudly, play music at unreasonable levels or beep their horns unnecessarily could all be fined under the scheme.

Local police said last year that such behaviour was a growing “national problem”, but parts of south and east Leeds have been particularly affected by it in recent months. WLD has reported on regular problems across West Leeds over the years.

Leeds’ Liberal Democrat group leader and Rothwell councillor Stewart Golton, welcomed the new PSPO, saying the issue had caused “real distress” for his residents.

He said: “Anti-social behaviour involving quadbikes has been a problem for some time now.

“What is particularly dangerous is they’re not just riding around off-road but they’re taking it onto the public highway and public footpaths where people have had near misses.

“I’d like to see these PSPOs enforced very strongly in the interests of safety of misguided youngsters themselves and those they put at risk through their behaviour.”

Speaking last July, when a consultation over the idea was announced, the council’s deputy leader, Debra Coupar, said that “everyone has the right to feel safe in their community”.

She added: “Tackling vehicle related nuisance is a key priority for us as we recognise the impact it has on people’s lives and so, working in partnership with the police, we are seeking to address it with this new measure.”