By John Baron
Parts of a £2.9 million scheme to revamp the Armley Town Street area have been revised, a meeting has heard.
A public consultation was held last summer into ambitious proposals to reduce bus delays while improving the street environment for visitors and shoppers with wider pavements, planting and landscaping and more crossing points.
People attending last night’s Armley Forum meeting heard that plans to close Wesley Road to stop vehicles rat running through residential streets were set to be shelved. And designers were looking at reintroducing more parking spaces on the northern part of Town Street following concerns from business owners and shoppers.
Leeds City Council highways officer David O’Donoghue told the meeting, which was held at Armley Hub, that reaction to the scheme had been mixed. Out of 447 responses 46% were in favour of the scheme, 43% against and 11% neutral.
Mr O’Donaghue said that some elements of the scheme had caused concerns, which he was looking to address, but stressed that people were generally supportive of the objectives of the scheme.
“People want to use cars and taxis less,” he added.
Forum attendees spoke both for and against the blocking of Wesley Road, with some saying the road was dangerous and calling for a crossing, which the council agreed to look into. Mr O’Donaghue said Wesley Road proposals were “a difficult trade off” – and said traffic at peak times as a result of it bot being blocked.
Cllr Lou Cunningham (Green, Lab) suggested bringing forward plans to make Armley Town Street a 20mph zone.
The design team are continuing to review the feedback and finalise the design. It’s hoped a report will go to the chief highways officer within the next eight weeks.
A report capturing the full findings of the consultation will be released to the public shortly.
The scheme
The overall plans for the Government-funded scheme include:
- Four new pedestrian crossing points, two located on Armley Town Street, one on Carr Crofts and one on Wesley Road, to improve safety
- Wider pavements to facilitate pedestrians and shoppers, better bus waiting areas and greenery
- New cycling and walking links from surrounding streets to Armley Town Street
- Making Armley Town Street from Theaker Lane to Wesley Road a bus-only section that can also be used by black and white taxis, emergency vehicles and cyclists
- New trees and landscaping, including rain gardens that help to remove surface water run-off
- Better bus waiting areas, with upgraded bus stops
- New pick-up/drop-off short stay parking on Theaker Lane, Stocks Hill and Crab Lane suitable for private hire taxis
- Road closure at Theaker Lane to prevent motor vehicles rat running through residential streets
- A reduction of speed from 30 to 20mph along Armley Town Street, to improve safety
- Seven disabled parking spaces retained but relocated and additional loading bays.
Sponsored content
447 responses in an area of thousands typica.
Councillors decide these things are good without proper information given to all people that live and use the area.
This will not be put to the people that live around Armley
Just the chosen few who agree with the councillors
Whose wants outways the problems of the area.
Where is all the traffic going to end up
Taxis will abuse the system as they think they own the roads. Can park where they want.
All the people of Leeds pay for the running of this city.
But do not get any communication on these matters.
When will councillors realise they are not really that good at making decisions and are systematic in the demise of local community shopping areas.
People are forced out of these areas just because they choose to use a motor vehicle.
They caused more traffic problems because of the changes to stanningley road junction which stopped me using Armley shopping now.
Go to areas that make space for vehicles.
In a time of very serious living costs the choose to spend money on white elephant schemes.
And the consulttion shows the majority are against this proposal to bus gate Town Street and close the nearby roads. But they’re going to do it anyway. Putting more pressure on Tong Road which is already struggling to cope with traffic volume, and Wyther Lane which is completely outdated and inadequate for a modern city.
Well said ! Plus the fact that you can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear Armley used to be a wonderful place to live but not anymore, it’s the pits and widening the footpath and sticking a few plants in pots ain’t gunna change a damn thing !
Still trying to kill the local community
Already destroying the area
Now no vehicles at all
These roads belong to all residents of armley not the chosen few