New plans revealed for reducing traffic congestion at Armley Gyratory

Fresh plans to improve the Armley Gyratory and help relieve traffic congestion at one of the busiest roundabouts in Leeds have been revealed.

Leeds City Council says public feedback is being used to revise features that are most important to local people, which have been retained and enhanced in the new design. It’s hoped the updated designs will:

• Provide more appealing and accessible routes for both cyclists and pedestrians;
• Improve safety for all road users;
• Allow traffic to flow more freely, minimising traffic impacts on local roads;
• Improve the local environment through new landscaping; and
• Support the transformation of the city centre by the closing of through vehicle traffic, a pedestrianised City Square and South Bank developments.

The council says previous consultations in 2018 and autumn 2019 found key themes in the public feedback to include:

• Poor safety, including concerns about drivers rushing to avoid red lights, the lack of a signal-controlled junction at B6154 Wellington Road South, poor sightlines, road surfacing and road markings.
• The lack of attractive and accessible pedestrian and cycle routes, meaning people are less likely to travel through the area by foot or bike.
• Poor air quality, relating to idling cars and large volumes of traffic.
• Congestion, particularly on A58 Wellington Road North and A643 Ingram Road Distributor, causing delays to for motorists and bus users. 

The updated plans will address the movement through the gyratory by providing the following features:

• A new signal-controlled junction on the entrance from B6154 Wellington Road South and a signal-controlled pedestrian and cycle crossing across B6154 Wellington Road South.
• Existing pedestrian routes will be upgraded to modern standards and made safer, more pleasant and more accessible with new landscaping and footpath widening.
• New landscaping will provide enhanced visibility between road users and improve the personal security of pedestrians and cyclists.
• Cycle routes will be introduced and connected to existing routes at the junction, making it easier and safer to travel by bicycle.
• The two existing footbridges over the A643 and A58 will be replaced with a dedicated, accessible pedestrian and cycle bridge.
• To discourage people from running red lights, new traffic signal technology will be introduced which will manage queues more efficiently.
• New traffic lights added at the junction of the A643 with Gelderd Road, to better manage the traffic flow. 
• Proposed new drainage system to address the issues of flooding at the A58 Wellington Road North under the railway bridge.
• Works on the privately-owned central island have been minimised so all existing features will be retained as part of the scheme.

Previous proposals which have now been scrapped included a road cutting through the roundabout (shown below).

The council will seek approval from the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund for the City Centre Package works of £40.5 million to fund this scheme.

The public will be able to view the updated scheme designs online here and neighbouring residents in New Wortley will be contacted about the scheme.

The next steps will see a planning application submitted in the summer. There will be an opportunity for comments on the proposals during the planning process. If approved, construction will start next year and be completed in 2023.

Executive Board member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development, Councillor Helen Hayden said:

“Improvements to major junctions like the Armley Gyratory will support our vision to make better use of road space, improve walking and cycling provision as well as promote public transport options across the city.

“It will create a more people-friendly and accessible city centre, removing unnecessary vehicle traffic from the city centre and creating a safer and healthier environment for public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists.

“In addition, the Armley Gyratory proposals offer significant benefits for local communities to access the city centre, with improved cycling and pedestrian facilities. Improving and reducing these physical barriers is a key part of our long-term plans to support easier movement across our communities.

“These proposals will also use new traffic signal technology to manage queues, tackle congestion and create a better flow of traffic. Not only will this lead to improved air quality and protect people’s health, it will ultimately contribute towards our ambition to be net-zero carbon city by 2030.”

The improvements are part of Connecting Leeds, the council’s transport strategy for the city. Connecting Leeds are working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, partners and stakeholders to improve all aspects of the transport network in Leeds and connecting to the wider Leeds City Region.