Petition calls for pause over Armley Town Street traffic proposals

By John Baron

A petition calling on Leeds City Council to pause plans to revamp Armley Town Street has so far received 1,400 signatures, its organiser has claimed.

Armley resident Glenn Edwards has organised the petition, which calls for a delay to the proposed £2.9 million scheme, which could see part of Armley Town Street become bus only.

The scheme, which has been mooted for several years, includes a package of improvements which highways chiefs say will make it easier and safer for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users to travel into and through the busy high street. 

But Mr Edwards’ petition says the proposals need more consultation with shoppers and businesses and greater analysis of the scheme’s potential impact.

The petition raises concerns over the potential impact on local businesses, issues with a reduction in parking places and concerns over rat running down side streets.

Mr Edwards said: “I believe restricting access to Armley Town Street by car will affect passing trade and also help create rat runs down roads such as Theaker Lane.

“I have no problems with the plans for planters, wider pavements and crossings. But the bus-only section is going to cause a lot of problems to motorists and will have a knock on effect on trade for businesses, who are struggling as it is.”

Mr Edwards is also hoping to lead a deputation to the next full meeting of Leeds City Council on 9 September to express his concerns to all 99 Leeds councillors. The petition is still available to sign in several Armley businesses, including, Pretty Woman, Armley Moor Pharmacy, the opticians, Continental Food Shop, La Moda and Nice and Tasty Cafe.

Council chiefs say the scheme aims to reduce bus delays whilst improving the street environment for visitors and shoppers with wider pavements, planting and landscaping and more crossing points to encourage active travel journeys.

The additional pedestrian crossings and wider pavements aim to make it easier and safer for people to walk and wheel around, whilst the relocation and upgrading of bus shelters will provide a better waiting environment for bus passengers.

The bus-only section of Armley Town Street aims to reduce delays by moving motor vehicle traffic from Armley Town Street to the main roads of A647 Stanningley Road and Tong Road, providing a much larger area of Town Street for shoppers, local markets and events.

The planned changes include: 

• Wider footways and cycling links
• Four new and five upgraded pedestrian crossings 
• A bus-only section 
• Updated bus stops
• Two modal filters (bollards and planters to restrict vehicle access) 
• 20 mph speed restrictions 
• Nine disabled parking spaces and parking restrictions
• 13 new trees and 258 sqm of planting beds 

The proposals are part of Active Travel England’s Active Travel Fund programme which expects to create up to 16 million more trips by walking and cycling every year across the UK and help towards Leeds City Council’s ambitions of increasing cycling by 400%, walking by 33% and bus uptake by 130% through its Leeds Transport Strategy.

The scheme is broadly supported by Armley Councillor Andy Parnham (Lab). He acknowledged people’s concerns and that the scheme was not perfect but welcomed the investment, which he warned must not be lost to Armley.

“We have an opportunity to improve Armley Town Street which may not come again. Combined with the £20 million Pride in Place investment the government has pledged over the next ten years, there is a real opportunity to do something positive to improve Armley.

“Armley Town Street is changing all the time, it has not stayed the same as it was 30 years ago. The highway is dominated by vehicles and this scheme is a welcome intervention. We will end up with more and more traffic going down Town Street if we are not careful – it currently has 8,000 cars going down it.”

Cllr Parnham said it would be a mistake to pause the project, as there was a danger Armley could ‘lose’ the money to pay for the scheme, which was first proposed in 2023.

He said the project was part of a wider ‘jigsaw’ of initiatives to boost Armley, including the £20m Pride in Place, the introduction of Selective Licensing restricting alcohol sales, police action to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“I want Armley to be the best place in Leeds to live,” he added. “There are lots of people doing really positive things in Armley.”

Councillor Lou Cunningham (Green, Armley) said: “As Green councillors we are in favour of schemes which focus on pedestrian safety, air quality and active travel, but strongly recognise and support the concerns which have been raised to us by both local residents and business owners.

“Businesses are concerned that partial pedestrianisation of Armley Town Street could impact accessibility and affect the number of shoppers and passing trade. Residents are concerned about traffic bring displaced into local residential areas and the impact this will have upon road safety. Concerns have also been expressed around disabled access to Town Street. 

“We welcome the inclusion of a reduction to 20mph and improved crossing facilities, which I have previously called for, speaking up on behalf of local residents and their views.”

Cllr Clancy Walker encouraged people to have their say in the latest consultation. She said: “Cllr Lou Cunningham and I really encourage everyone who uses Armley Town Street – residents, shoppers and our local businesses – to take this opportunity to have their say.

“At the recent Armley Community Forum, people were encouraged to be as specific as possible: Tell the council which parts of the proposals you support or object to, why, what impact you think they could have and, importantly, what alternatives or changes you would like to see.

“We all want to see investment in Armley Town Street and improvements that make it safer, more accessible and a better place to spend time and shop. The detail of how we achieve that really matters, so please make sure your views and local knowledge are heard before the consultation closes.

“Armley Town Street should be shaped by local people, for local people – every voice matters and Lou and I want to make sure the views of our local community are heard.”

TRO consultation

Last week WLD reported on council bosses advertising a raft of traffic regulation orders. A TRO is a legal document that allows the council to change the highway network for all road users, aiming to improve road safety and access to facilities. 

People no have until the end of August to comment on the proposals.

To make any comments in support of or against the proposed order, e-mail troteam@leeds.gov.uk or write to – TRO Team, City Development, Merrion House, Merrion Street LS2 8LX or specifying the grounds on which your objection or representation is made no later than Monday 31 August 2026. 

Alternatively, you can visit the council webpage, tap ‘Tools’ ‘Schemes’ ‘Armley Town Street TRO ’W A34 M A12 S A8 2026’. An interactive map shows which parking and street orders are being proposed.

Local comments

WLD has received a number of comments from readers. both for and against the proposals.

One commenter said: “We already struggle to turn right out of Eyres Terrace onto Stanningley Road because of traffic leaving the Tesco car park and the blooming bike lane, traffic turning right from Eyres Avenue onto Stanningley Road is going to make it much worse for me and my neighbours.

“As for Armley Town Street, you’re just making it easier for illegal, electric bikes and scooters to use, these are a nightmare now for pedestrians, how are you going to stop these?”

But another said the scheme had its supporters who may not be as vocal as those who oppose it: “Other areas would bite your hand off for an investment like this. It’s use it or lose it. Armley should welcome these changes as a positive thing, alongside the further government investment from the Pride in Place Programme.

“If this doesn’t go through, Armley is not going to get another chance to make improvements in Town Street. Too much negativity going on here.”

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