The latest scheme in a £7.2 million package of walking and cycling improvements across Leeds city centre has opened.
The new cycle track from Kirkstall Road to Wellington Street boosts access for people travelling by bike from west Leeds into the city centre.
The Western Gateway scheme connects with existing cycling routes on the A65, Wellington Street, City Square and beyond and plugs a missing link in the city’s growing network of protected cycle routes separate from busy roads and pedestrian walkways.
Rory Osborne, from Burley, commutes into the city centre by bike along the new section of cycle track.
He said: “This new section of route has made a massive difference to my journey.
“There’s lots of traffic and fast-moving vehicles along that stretch. I feel so much more comfortable when I’m segregated from it all and I can just cruise along the cycle lane with confidence.
“Leeds is starting to become an example of what a cycling city can look like and that’s very exciting.”
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said: “I am pleased to see the progress on connecting cycling infrastructure around the city centre.
“It is important that people feel safe when making trips by bike to and from the city, and, by laying the foundations for safer journeys, more people will be able to try cycling as an alternative for getting around.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “A reliable and inclusive transport network, which prioritises cycling, walking and public transport, is key to our plans for a stronger and better-connected region. This investment is just one of the ways we’re working together to make West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work.”
The improvements are part of a wider programme adding 2.71km of two-way cycle track, wider pavements and new safer crossings for people walking and cycling. This includes the newly completed Crown Point Bridge Gateway and improvements around Sovereign Street. The schemes are being delivered through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which aims to make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport.
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Any chance of spending £7.5 million on public transport? For example it would be great to have a bus service connecting Calverley to Horsforth, Farsley and Pudsey during day and evening.
this is a supposedly cash strapped council that is going to increase council tax this year by 4.99% or is it april fools day today?
Different funding pot. This doesn’t come from council budget, but from the government active travel funding.
Bus companies are privately owned, and operate for profit
A short time ago, I asked the question of how many councillors cycle to their meetings in their Council Wards, or to the meetings at the Civic Hall in Leeds? I have not had an answer yet but I’m sure the answers would be interesting. If they use their cars, where do they park in Leeds city centre and do they claim mileage and parking expenses? How much were Councillors paid in the last financial year in claims for these?
Well at least they sound to have finally understood the sense of building one two-way cycle track on one side of the road, unlike the senseless single, one-way ones both sides of the road they’ve squeezed in in other parts of the city.
This looks excellent. I’ll be using this this afternoon!