The next phase of work on a £23.2 million scheme to improve the A6120 Outer Ring Road will start this winter, Leeds highways chiefs have confirmed today.
Improvements to Fink Hill, A6120 Broadway and Horsforth roundabout are already under way and due to complete at the end of this year as part of the Connecting West Leeds project.
And works along the rest of the ring road are also set to start, with the overall completion of both phases is scheduled for winter 2024. £20m of the work is funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with the remaining £3.257m being provided by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Here’s how the work is shaping up over the next 12 months:
Phase one
Phase one of the work is made up of improvements to Fink Hill, A6120 Broadway, Horsforth roundabout and the creation of a segregated off-highway cycle path.
Improvements to Fink Hill, A6120 Broadway and Horsforth roundabout are already under way and due to complete at the end of this year. Construction of the segregated cycle path, from Horsforth roundabout to Rodley roundabout, will begin early next year and is scheduled to complete by autumn 2024.
Phase two
Phase two is made up of an accessible bridge, connecting the communities of Calverley and Farsley; an off-highway mixed-use path for walking, wheeling and cycling between Rodley roundabout and Dawsons Corner; traffic light improvements to Rodley roundabout; no right turn safety measures out of the junctions of Calverley Bridge and Calverley Lane; planting and landscaping; and the reduction of speed to 50mph from Horsforth roundabout to Stanningley Bypass at Henconner Lane Bridge, including enforcement through average speed cameras.
The second phase of works are currently at the detailed design stage. Construction of the mixed-use path is scheduled for winter 2023 and the accessible footbridge in spring 2024.
The council says a proposed accessible ramp to Leeds-Liverpool canal is not possible to deliver due to land ownership constraints. Alternative options for the ramp also cannot be progressed due to impact on existing utilities, and extensive tree removal including the loss of at least two mature oak trees. Instead, alternative upgrades to the existing cycle network link to the canal are being planned to improve access.
Speed reduction
The speed reduction to 50mph on the A6120 Outer Ring Road and A647 Stanningley Bypass, from Horsforth roundabout to Stanningley Bypass at Henconner Lane Bridge will be enforced by average speed cameras, a first for West Yorkshire, and work has started to install the traffic signs. The new speed limit is due to start some time next month.
Additionally, the existing 40mph speed limit on A647 Bradford Road from Dawsons Corner to Thornbury roundabout will be enforced by average speed cameras following years of concerns by local residents and councillors over speeding drivers and road safety.
Road signage to support the new lower speed limit and the calibration of the average speed cameras has commenced and is due to complete next month. Once completed, the cameras will become operational.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said: “It’s encouraging to see a major scheme developing in the north-west and west areas of Leeds. Phase two proposals were met with a 74% positive public response at consultation and I’m pleased the momentum of delivering this work is being swiftly progressed.
“Both phases aim to better link local communities, improve active travel options for residents, and make progress towards our carbon-neutral targets.
“The new speed limit, and enforcement through average speed cameras, will aim to reduce the number of speed-related collisions on these routes, creating a safer road environment for all users whilst aiming to meet our Vision Zero target of zero deaths on Leeds roads by 2040.”
The scheme is jointly funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and WYCA West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund. The West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund is the largest element of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal, and is part of a £1 billion package of Government investment delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region. The £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK and supports town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.
Hopefully the average speed cameras on the Ring Road and Bradford Road will reduce the number of brainless idiots using these roads as race tracks at all times of the day and night. I’m not holding my breath though.
Well the 23million spent on the first stage has made no improvement to traffic at all . How thick are the planers the problem here is traffic cannot exit horsforth roundabout towards Rodley that is where it needs another lane even a 5 year old could see this
Well I think the next stage of the plan is to continue the two lane exit from the Horsforth roundabout a bit further, so that traffic won’t have to merge as soon. We’ll see how much difference this makes.
Ohhh I do so hope you are right
The only things I can see in the info for phase 2 is councillor carters beloved foot bridge for the masses that walk from calverley to farsley and improvements to Dawson’s corner
Well I see on completion of these works I can say as I travel through twice a day every day Leeds city council have made a fantastic job of making this road ten time worse must congratulate the planners on there magnificent job