A narrow West Leeds bridge which has a history of closures due to being struck by vehicles could have cameras installed in future to prevent future closures.
Historic Wyther Lane Bridge in Kirkstall is currently closed after being struck by a vehicle three weeks ago and is due to reopen in early April.
In 2021 the bridge – previously branded ‘dangerous’ by users – was closed between March and December following a crash which caused severe damage
Damage to the bridge. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
Highways chiefs are exploring options with bridge owner Canal and River Trust to install cameras to monitor or enforce driver behaviour at the bridge once the works are complete.
Repairs have been carried out this week by the Trust and council engineers are due to start work on Monday on a package of measures to reduce the potential for future bridge strikes.
A highways spokesperson said: “Due to fixed funding, the Canal and River Trust has indicated that should further strikes happen there is potential for lengthy closures and the council has therefore identified a number of interventions listed below to reduce the likelihood of further strikes. It will complete the work within two weeks.”
Council works include:
Alter the kerb lines on the southbound approach to the bridge, to guide vehicles away from the damaged bridge parapet and provide a wider swept path.
Install a painted warning line alongside the bridge to encourage a better driving alignment for larger vehicles and reduce the chance of contact with the structure.
Provide an over-run margin sited in front of the footway which will guide large vehicles across the bridge.
Maintain a footway of no less than 1.8m wide, still wider than the old footway. The over-run margin will provide further segregation from general traffic and keep vehicles away from the footway edge.
The spokesperson added: “The works will reduce the chance of a future bridge strike and the costly and disruptive road closures. This will improve the safety of highway users and reduce damage to the bridge.”
A computer generated image of what the flats could look like. Photo: LCC
Residents are being urged to have their say on proposals to build new council housing in Kirkstall.
Leeds City Council is hoping to build 20 new apartments on the corner of Queenswood Drive and Spen Lane on the site of the old Beckett Park Community Centre.
This would be a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments in a four-storey block. There would be 14 parking spaces and all apartments would be managed and let by the council.
A council spokesperson said: “There is a shortage of affordable housing in the Kirkstall Ward with an average of 448 bids for each home advertised in the local area. The demand is greatest for one and two bedroomed homes which can be best met on the site with an apartment building.”
Posting on social media, Kirkstall councillor Fiona Venner (Lab) said: “Statistically [these are] the size of home that the Kirkstall area needs most.
“As councillors we’re all very much in favour of this project going ahead, and we hope that planning permission will be obtained. It will provide much needed housing for our area and will make good use of a previously developed ‘brownfield’ site. “
The Council Housing Growth Team, who are managing the project, are keen to gather views from people who live nearby before putting in a formal application for planning permission.
An online questionnaire, together with further information on the project, is available here.
Two ‘drop-in’ consultation events are being held at Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club on Wednesday, 2 April from 4pm to 6.30pm and Friday, 4 April from 11am to 1pm.
Since expanding into Horsforth in January the Dispatch has been very well received in the local community and now in March continues to go from strength to strength.
Would you like to be involved and make a difference in your local community?
West Leeds Dispatch would welcome volunteers in Horsforth to fill various different roles and help us to spread the word of community news and tell the world about the vibrant Horsforth community.
Perhaps you could try your hand at a bit of writing for us? Are you involved in a local sports club and could contribute match reports and news?
Are you involved in a local organisation who you feel deserves a bit of recognition? Let us know.
We would also welcome people to help us with the delivery of our print edition to the many venues across Horsforth.
Any help for our What’s On section where we collate the many events in Horsforth and beyond, would also be welcome.
Perhaps you are a budding photographer? Photo features are a great way of showing the world what we are all up to in our picturesque town.
If you would like to get involved in any way, or you have any idea for a story or would just like to know a bit more about us and what we do, get in touch or why not come and see us for a chat.
Horsforth reporter Jill Stocks will be at the Horsforth Community Cafe at the Parish Centre from 12pm on Monday, 24 March.
Come and see us for a natter and help us spread community news in Horsforth. Or drop us a line on news@westleedsdispatch.com.
Council officers have have overruled two objections to a package of parking measures to improve road safety in the Calverley, Farsley, Rodley and Pudsey.
Highways officers last September agreed to spend £6,100 to introduce parking restrictions, funded by section 106 contributions from nearby housing developments.
But a council report published this week said the authority had received objections to some of the measures in Farsley and Rodley and either overruled and made minor amendments following local concerns. The measures will now go ahead.
One objector raised concerns about ‘no waiting at any time’ at The Green in Farsley, saying it would unfairly reduce access for staff and visitors to a local business.
But a council highways officer said the restrictions are on the opposite road to the business and the restrictions only total 16 metres, with the remainder of the street unrestricted.
A second objection to measures on Rodley Lane came from the owner of a local business.
The report added: “The objector considers that there have been no need for any restrictions for over a hundred years so objects to the proposal as it will impact the business. Occasionally a vehicle attending the business premises does need to park outside on the road.
“The proposed restrictions are designed to protect sightlines when exiting two private accesses which are adjacent. Parking has been noted to take place close to one access, which affects visibility and restrictions were proposed which aimed to protect both.
“Given the concerns raised by the objector it is proposed to withdraw those parts of the proposed restriction which do not directly address the concerns relating to the first access. This will allow unrestricted kerbspace to be maintained for use by other road users.”
The overall scheme covers:
Hawthorn Grove, Hawthorn Drive, Salisbury Street, Carr Grove and Carr Hill Nook in Calverley.
Another scheme introduces measures in the Chapel Street, Bridge Road, Oaklands Grove and Rodley Lane area near Rodley Roundabout.
The Rodley Town Street area is set for more ‘no waiting at any time’ measures as a variety of junctions.
Similar parking restrictions are due to be implemented at the Green, at the back of Farsley Cenotaph, and also outside Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley Town Street. High Bank Street and Back Lane in Farsley are also set for parking measures.
The junction of Bradford Road and Moorland Road and Galloway Lane and Galloway Court in Pudsey are also earmarked for parking restrictions.
The proposals have the full support of the Calverley & Farsley ward councillors.
Free tennis lessons at Armley Park have been extended for 2025 after being hugely popular last year.
Weekly sessions for children (aged five and over) and adults will be held starting at the end of April.
In 2022, Active Leeds and Leeds City Council’s parks and countryside service secured funding from the Fred Perry Trust for a complete resurfacing of the tennis courts at Armley Park and to activate the courts delivering free coaching to local residents.
After the sessions in 2024 had a record in attendance, with a 125% increase in bookings compared to the previous year, the funding has been extended for 2025. Outside of the lessons the courts saw a 152% increase in bookings.
Coaching sessions consist of fun activities, games and matches to create a fun environment for learning and bring the community together.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “We’re proud to be able to offer so many public tennis courts across the city for people of all ages to use free of charge.
“Delivering these sessions to both children and adults is a great way to give people the opportunity to be active together and learn a new sport.”
The free lessons take place on Mondays 5pm to 7.30pm and Thursdays 4pm to 7.30pm. Find more details here.
Santander has announced plans to close 95 of its high street branches across the UK – including its branch in Pudsey.
The high street bank said its customers were increasingly shifting to banking online and said it was aiming to start closing almost a quarter of its 444 branches this year. The decision puts 750 employees at risk of losing their jobs.
The Pudsey branch on Lidget Hill will close on Monday, 28 July 2025 at 3pm.
Santander say support will also be available in branches at Petergate Mall, Bradford, and at Briggate in Leeds city centre.
They say 74% of Pudsey branch customers have used online, mobile or telephone services.
“Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimise the impact it may have on our customers,” a Santander spokesperson said.
“Our customers are continuing to change the way they manage their money. Many are choosing to use mobile, online and telephone banking more, and branches less.
“Across our network in the ten-week period leading up to 12 December 2024, branch transactions fell 21% compared with the same period in 2023.
“Over the past five years we have also seen a 63% increase in the number of transactions that customers choose to complete digitally, whilst we have seen a 61% reduction in branch transactions over the same period.
“Before deciding to close this branch, we reviewed the ways we serve our customers. We also looked at where our branches are located, how they’re used, and the other local banking options available.”
As part of the changes, Santander will also reduce hours at 36 branches and remove the front counters out of 18 others.
Councillor Simon Seary (Cons, Pudsey) said: “We’ve just been informed that the Pudsey Branch of Santander will be closing. Our first thoughts are with the dedicated staff, and we sincerely hope they can be redeployed with no job losses.”
Councillor Trish Smith (Ind, Pudsey) said: “It’s extremely disappointing to hear that our Santander branch is set to close. It will leave Pudsey town centre with only one bank and the Post Office, giving one less reason for people to come into Pudsey.
“This is sadly another blow to high streets up and down the country and a particular blow to Pudsey at a time we’re starting to see positive growth in our own high street.
“My thoughts are especially with the staff who will now lose their jobs through this closure.
“Access to cash is so important, especially for those on a fixed income who use cash transactions to help them manage their finances. I accept most people now use online banking and pay by card, but with transaction charges for card payments now accounting for a large chunk of a businesses turnover, it’s eating into vital profit margins – Cash is King!
“I’ve tried to highlight this over the past few years with initiatives like the Pudsey Lottery and have even looked into the possibility of a Banking Hub – with no luck yet. We need to keep cash circulating and continue shopping as locally as possible.”
Consumer group Which? said Santander’s decision to close almost a quarter of its network “will come as a real blow to many customers”.
Santander is also closing its branches in Morley and Ilkley. Both towns will now be without a bank branch and are being recommended to receive a banking hub.
Bramley Life Drawing Class in action. Photo: Sophie Flynn
By Keef Williamson
Since September 2024 the Bramley Life Drawing Class has been operating from the church hall at Bramley Baptist Church on Hough Lane.
The class was previously held at Fairfield Community Centre, but the new venue offers a lot more space.
The class is run by Sophie Flynn and is held from 1pm to 3pm on most Mondays. Currently funded by Leeds City Council, the classes are totally free and all materials are provided. Coffee, tea and assorted biscuits are available on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis.
Sophia has an extensive background as an illustrator, artist and teacher and has worked in theatre and television. She welcomes attendees with all levels of experience and talent, and with the extra space available she would love to see more new faces.
Classes are running on Mondays through to 19 May 2025 except for the Bank Holidays on 7 April and 5 May. If you want to unleash your creative ability, email Sophie Flynn spflynn2@outlook.com.
Model Craig Dyson. Photo: Keef Williamson
The Bramley Life Drawing Class plays host to models of all shapes and sizes, but none more exotic than the model for two Mondays in February, Craig Dyson.
Craig is covered from head to foot in colourful tattoos of Chinese dragons, mythical beasts and a whole lot more.
Yorkshire-based Craig has also modelled for classes in Manchester, Liverpool and London and frequently features drawings from these classes on his Instagram page.
Class members found the exercise challenging but fun.
Homelessness is on the rise in Leeds – and young people from areas like West Leeds are among those hit hardest due to poverty.
It is a situation that needs to be tackled both immediately and effectively in order to bring an end to rough sleeping across the city.
Government figures have shown an increase of 32% from the year 2023 and these figures continue to grow. The increased number of homeless people speaks volumes about what is now a growing crisis across the UK.
There is a sense of hope. Charities such as Centrepoint look to end youth homelessness, supporting around 14,000 young people every year in an attempt to stop youth homelessness by the year 2037.
In my opinion every young person and adult should have a place to call home and the optimistic goal to end youth homelessness by that year is certainly a step in the right direction.
People should have a place to go home to and I believe, there should be more support for those struggling to pay for food increasing the numbers of free food banks across the city.
Centrepoint also looks at keeping these young adults housed for the next four years of their lives until they are ready to move on by themselves. The majority of people that are housed by this charity don’t ever go homeless again.
It is expected by us across the U.K. that we receive free healthcare with the likes of the NHS supporting our healthcare needs to fix us when we’re not quite right. So why then is it such a big leap to say that people should be housed and fed properly as well.
There have been others that have shared their concerns for homelessness, music bands such as Fontaines DC have created a special football jersey for Bohemians FC that speaks up about homelessness across Ireland in a campaign to stop rough sleeping in the country and has raised over €12,000 for the charity already.
I believe in hope for the future of the homeless situation we have at the moment in Leeds and believe this is an issue that can be turned around and resolved.
Ambition for a completely homeless-free society is a view that not only I share and others should get involved with too. It is only a matter of time before the situation either deteriorates or improves. What sort of future do you want to live in?
If you want to donate to a youth homeless charity that strives to succeed in preventing youth homelessness please visit Centrepoint here.
Simon on the Streets offers emotional and practical support for homeless and vulnerable people.
If you are worried about someone who is sleeping on the streets, contact 0113 245 9445 or e-mail leeds.sos@cgl.org.uk.
Bosses at an organisation which supports older people in Armley have confirmed they are not closing despite council proposals to shut the community centre where they’re based.
Lifeline organisation Armley Helping Hands has said its services will continue, even if the council decides to close its current home Strawberry Lane Community Centre in a bid to save money.
WLD understands the building needs more than £1 million investment to stay open.
In a social media post, Helping Hands CEO Dawn Newsome said: “We want to address recent speculation and confirm that we are not closing our services or our doors.
“We remain committed to serving our older people and community and look forward to continuing to deliver vital services, activities, intervention and meeting our goals, to our older people, families and people living in the Armley and Wortley district of Leeds 12.”
Leeds City Council’s asset management department is proposing to close Strawberry Lane Community Centre and for it to be sold via the Capital Receipts Programme.
Ms Newsome’s statement added: “This proposal has been made due to the building current running costs [being] very high and the building require substantial maintenance and upgrading which in the present local government financial climate is not viable.
“The Board of Trustees are in ongoing consultation with Leeds City Council … we can assure you we have not received any formal notification of the termination of our tenancy.
“If the decision is made to close Strawberry Lane Community Centre the Board of Trustees will commence dialogue with Leeds City Council’s Community Asset Team, our commissioners’ officers and local ward councillors to look at alternative accommodation within our community that will meet our present and future needs.
“We appreciate your continued support and trust in our team to deliver vital responsive services and activities to our older people and community.”
Councillor Andy Parnham (Lab, Armley) is also a trustee as Armley Helping Hands, which supports some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
He said: “I am lobbying for services to remain in Armley and in a building which is large enough to accommodate their needs. I understand there are some issues with the building’s sustainability.”
WLD understands parts of the community centre are currently unused.
And Cllr Lou Cunningham (Green, Armley) added: “As a member of the Board of Trustees and local councillor, I am supporting Armley Helping Hands with the current situation surrounding premises requirements.
“Our local Neighbourhood Network provides invaluable support and care within our community and it is crucial that the service remains within our ward.”
Leeds City Council is aiming to reduce its spending by almost £104 million by the end of the next financial year. Job losses and the sale of buildings are among the proposed savings.
The council faces rising costs in services such as adult social care, while central Government has underfunded local authorities across the country over the past 15 years.
Lats month WLD reported on a council u-turn to reverse plans to cut 10% of their funding of neighbourhood networks across Leeds, including Armley Helping Hands.
And WLDlast month featured a protest against the proposed closure of nearby Stocks Hill Hub in Armley, which provides lifeline support to people with mental health issues. Users say they face a lengthy journey by public transport if the council moves services to Horsforth.
Follow WLD’s ongoing Cutswatch series – which chronicles budget cuts in West Leeds by local and national government – here.
Ceramic pieces by artist Jessie Davies. Image by Harry Meadley
By Fiona Gell
One of Yorkshire’s most prestigious annual art exhibitions – Ones To Watch – returns for its 12th year at the Sunny Bank Mills Art Gallery in Farsley.
The exhibition is focused on talented emerging artists and makers who are based in, or are from, Yorkshire.
It brings together work by artists from across disciplines, from painting to sculpture, jewellery, textiles, photography, ceramics, design and more with much of the work available to buy. It is an ideal way to start an art collection while supporting artists through buying prints and limited editions at very affordable prices.
Portrait of Gwyneth by artist Ellie Andrews. Image by Harry Meadley
Sunny Banks Mills’ Arts Director Anna Turzynski said: “It is such a joy to open our 12th annual Ones to Watch exhibition at Sunny Bank Mills. The cohort this year has been incredibly strong and walking into the Gallery each morning and seeing their work here is incredibly energising.
“The artists exhibiting this year are a mixture of people who are graduating art school, leaving alternative arts education or who are marking a milestone in their self-taught practice.
“All the artists share a desire to show their work in a physical space and I invite audiences to support them at this vital time in their practice. Come down to vote for your favourite piece in the Gallery.”
The Peoples’ Choice Award provides an artist with a free three-month residency space at Sunny Bank Mills in which to work. This is a valuable resource for the winner, introduces them to our Mills’ community of 35 artists, and helps to retain talent in the region.
One exhibiting artist will also be selected by a panel of the East Street Arts Team to have a free month-long residency at Convention House in Leeds as part of the The East Street Arts Prize.
Ones To Watch 2025 at Sunny Bank Mills Gallery by Harry Meadley
Anna added: “Ones To Watch offers so much. As gallery spaces around the UK close at an alarming rate, we love to see artists bringing their family, friends, fans and potential future collaborators into the space to connect and show off all their hard work. I implore the artists to make the most of this opportunity.”
The exhibition explores topics of identity, place, community and cats.
Two of the artists taking part in Ones To Watch are Ellie Andrews and Jessie Davies.
Ellie Andrews is an emerging portrait and figurative artist and the founder of Leeds Drawing Club. She studied Theatre Design at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts and after a period working as a set designer, returned to Leeds to set up Leeds Drawing Club in 2007.
Ellie commented: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to show my work in such a well-respected Gallery as Sunny Bank Mills. It is a very exciting moment for me as an early career emerging artist.
“I think it is an important and positive step that the Sunny Bank Mills Gallery has extended their remit to include those who are self-taught or not recently graduated (like me!) for their curation of Ones to Watch 2025. It is a fantastically interesting show, beautifully and sensitively curated.
“As an artist mother, which comes with its own set of unique challenges, it feels amazing to receive recognition for my work and to feel seen and respected as an artist.“
Jessie Davies is an artist whose work highlights important yet fragile wetland and woodland environments that play a vital role in our wider ecosystems.
Living with multiple disabilities, including paraplegia and autism, Jessie’s access to and view of the rural environment result in an acute observation of small, overlooked objects which nestle in the landscape.
Jessie said: “Being part of Ones to Watch has been, for me, an amazing experience, working alongside other emergent artists and sharing their energy and enthusiasm.
“In recent years, my own artwork has been highlighting important yet fragile wetland and woodland environments which play a vital role in our wider ecosystems. The work which I am showing at this exhibition includes a series of paintings inspired by a freshwater wetland on the Humber banks which was damaged by saltwater flooding. These pieces incorporate reeds, foliage and other materials found on the site.
“Alongside these paintings, I have ceramic works documenting the recovery of a West Yorkshire woodland site affected by wildfire. These ceramics, created on a wheelchair-accessible pottery wheel, reflect my close observation of the site’s forms and textures; some show signs of charring while others display new growth.
“They are crafted with stoneware, wild-clay and slips, and finished with glazes made from natural materials like leaves and charcoal.”
Ones To Watch is open in the Gallery, Sandsgate Building, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, LS28 5UJ, Tuesday-Saturday 10-4, Sunday 12-4 until April 27. Closed on Mondays. Free entry.
Application: NYK Fried Chicken on Burley Road. Photo: Google
By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
People living near a Burley Road takeaway have raised fears over late night noise and litter if it is allowed extended opening.
NYK Fried Chicken could open until 2am every day if permission is granted by councillors.
Leeds City Council has received nine public letters of objection to a proposed premises licence variation.
One objector said: “Opening until 2am would make life unbearable for local residents who live next to Westfield Terrace in particular.
“Some of the residents are vulnerable and with terminal health conditions.”
People were also affected by strong cooking smells from the premises despite recent improvements to an extractor flue, they said.
The letter added: “If open until 2am the flue will be operating and pumping out smells and noise in very close proximity to the bedrooms of at least six properties.”
The licence holder, NYK Leeds Ltd, first applied to serve food until 2am last summer.
Permission was given to open until midnight, Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The playing of recorded music was not allowed and litter patrols were required every 30 minutes.
Another objector said nearby householders were having to clean up discarded food near the shop on a daily basis.
They said: “Please think about the residents. It’s intolerable now. It is a residential area. Please refuse this extension.”
In its licence application, NYK Leeds said sound proofing had been installed to the rear vent of the takeaway.
It said: “Any highways noise and litter issues will be alleviated. We are proposing to provide more than adequate provision for litter and recycling.”
NYK Leeds also submitted an impact assessment into the risk of nuisance, citing noise and odour readings taken at the premises.
It said: ”In conclusion, noise and odour do not pose a constraint to an extension of hours to 2am.”
A licensing sub-committee will consider the application at a hearing at Leeds Civic Hall on Tuesday (March 25, 10am). The agenda and council reports and documents can be found here.
The under-12s at Wortley Juniors Football Club are celebrating winning the boys’ Leeds and District Football Association Cup 2025 with a 1-0 victory over Pudsey Juniors Whites.
The game – held at at Whitkirk Cricket Club – was settled by an early goal from talented captain Lucas Pearson, who put a free kick into the box which went through everyone and ended up in the back of the net.
The game was subsequently contested in central midfield with play often scrappy as both teams tried to find the next goal.
Pudsey had a few chances and hit the post. Wortley almost went two goals up with a diving header by Luca Drazkiewicz not quite connecting. Wortley’s Eryk Pasterczyk was awarded player of the match by the officials.
“We were the underdogs as our opponents are in a higher division,” said Roman O’Brien, Wortley’s left winger. “Before the game I said it would be one per cent chance and 99% faith. But we won.”
Teammate Lucas Montgomery said: “The whole team is over the moon. It was a challenging game but winning has made this the best Sunday ever.”
The Wortley team reached the final with a 4-1 victory over Rothwell Juniors Red in the semi-final following a 7-1 defeat of Leeds City Juniors Blue.
After the match the team and their parents and coaches enjoyed a reception at New Farnley Cricket Club hosted by Kealey Kubas and Lucy Bedford who ‘worked wonders to ensure that everyone had a good time’.
Wortley FC Juniors U12s are sponsored by Digi-tal Web Development, Curtainpolestore.co.uk, BRO Electrical and Mint contracting Services.
If you are interested in playing with Wortley Juniors, e-mail info@wortleyfc.org.uk or message Wortley Football Club on Facebook.
Pudsey Juniors are sponsored by BritSystems and Leeds Dental and can be reached on 07957 110392 or at pudseyjuniors@hotmail.co.uk.
