Council chiefs are consulting on plans to make a western gateway into Leeds city centre safer and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users.
The £1.8m scheme aims to tackle longstanding issues with congestion, limited pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and high collision rates in the Burley Road, Burley Street, Park Lane and Westgate areas.
Council chiefs hope to introduce a new two-way segregated cycle lane, improving pedestrian crossings and junction redesigns. They say the scheme will enable people to travel more safely and reduce car dependency on the busy route.
Burley Road, Park Lane and Westgate form a key route for students, with several student accommodation developments and educational facilities located nearby.
Key features of the Burley Road to Westgate Project
- A two-way protected cycle lane along key sections of Burley Road and Westgate, providing safer, direct cycling connections to Leeds city centre.
- New, fully signalised crossings at locations such as Park Lane, where there is high footfall from Leeds Sixth Form College students, making it easier to cross the road.
- Enhanced bus accessibility with improved junctions and layout adjustments, reducing congestion during peak hours.
- Upgraded and new bus stops to create a more welcoming environment for all users.
Between 2017 and 2023, there were 63 reported casualties along this route, including 16 serious collisions, highlighting the need for these improvements.
The scheme is being delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is funded by Active Travel England, the government’s executive agency responsible for making walking, wheeling and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around in England.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council, and Executive Member for Economy, Transport, and Sustainable Development, said: “The Burley Road to Westgate project is a vital step toward creating safer, more accessible routes for active travel through Leeds.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to make our city more inclusive, healthy, and sustainable, and we urge everyone who uses this route—whether you walk, cycle, drive, or take the bus—to share your views and help shape the future of this area.”
Cllr Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, added: “Safe and accessible travel options are so important for encouraging people to walk, wheel, cycle and take the bus.
“We’re building a greener and better-connected West Yorkshire with schemes such as this one – please get in touch and help us shape the proposals.”
Have your say
Leeds City Council has today (Wednesday, 8 January) launched a public consultation on the proposals, which will run until February 5, 2025.
The consultation webpage can be accessed online. If you would like a paper survey and freepost envelope, e-mail connectingleeds@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 336 8868.
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Another waste of money.
Cyclists dont use the cycle lanes we already have so why build more?
Great idea! I hate cycling through this road as it is at the moment, to do it safely, you have to ride all the way down to Kirkstall Road to use the cycle lane there, then turn across and up to get to Burley Road. A dedicated cycle lane to get around here safely is a fantastic idea.
In one breath, the council are selling off every single asset they feasibly can, with no regard to leisure or culture. In the next, they’re spending almost £2 million on even more cycle lanes, when the vast number we already have are barely used. Where is the logic?
We don’t actually have that many bike lanes compared to a lot of cities! But they definitely do get used. If you’re near Kirkstall Road / Commercial Road, go down and watch how many bikes go past during commute times. The great thing about bikes is that they’re so small compared to cars, which is why it looks like the bike lanes aren’t used much – in fact, they’re used a lot, but bikes are so efficient that they move through really quickly!
Only users will be the high powered electric bikes delivering essential provisions to the people too poor to cook.
In these times when our current administration have virtually bankrupted Leeds and they are trying to cut the facilities of the Citizens of Leeds why, oh WHY, are they still going ahead with these unimportant projects? Surely these should be the first to be sidelined until the finances of our great City are in a firm footing.
Cutting services and facilities whilst going ahead with projects like this is just ludicrous and shows how inept and removed from reality our current council leaders are!!!!