The next phase of public consultation on Connecting Leeds, measures to help transform transport and travel in and around Leeds, starts this week.
A series of public drop-in sessions are to begin this Saturday on proposals for the A61 South (Hunslet Road, Low Road) bus route to introduce new infrastructure and measures to improve bus journey times and service reliability. This corridor is used by the busy 12, 13 and 13A services, the 110 service to Wakefield as well as the proposed Park & Ride scheme at Stourton.
The proposals would also seek to maximise the space and efficiency of the road network, offered enhanced cycling and walking provision as well as improving air quality through reduced congestion.
The plans include longer and new bus lanes, smart traffic signals and new junction layouts to help keep buses moving, especially during peak travel times.
The plans are part of Connecting Leeds, the new transport strategy for the city being delivered by Leeds City Council 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.
Enhanced bus travel is a key element of the strategy, with the target set of doubling the current 250,000 bus trips made in the city per day within 10 years. The next round of consultation, which runs until 27 July, focuses on the A61 South from Leeds to Wakefield, via Hunslet and Stourton; as well as the A660 in Headingley.
A consultation session will also take place next month on the possible expansion of the Elland Road Park & Ride service, which has been well used since its introduction now being used by more than 500 cars a day.
The consultation also asks for views on improvements to bus infrastructure which would see bus stops upgraded with enhanced seating, real-time information displays and maps. Public spaces are also proposed to be improved to make for more attractive and greener areas around the stops.
To see the details of the proposals and to give your views on them visit www.leeds.gov.uk/connectingleeds
This second round of consultation follows on from phase one held earlier this year on proposals for the A61North, A58 and A64. More than 4,500 responses were received, which are currently being analysed and will help shape the plans as they develop.
Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said:
“The response to the first round of consultation was very pleasing so now we are moving on to the A660, A61 South and the Elland Road Park and Ride and it would be great to see as many people as possible attend one of the drop-in sessions or give us their views online to help us shape these plans.
“Connecting Leeds is an ambitious strategy that we want everyone in the city to be part of, working together to make our city’s transport network as fast, efficient, reliable and green as we can. Investing in infrastructure and making public transport more attractive are the keys to bringing that about, delivering a city that is well connected, fully accessible and welcoming to all, so we look forward to hearing people’s views on these plans.”
Details of the public consultation events are as follows:
A61 South
Saturday 23 June 10am-2pm: Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terrace, Balm Road, LS10 2HR
Tuesday 26 June 5-8pm: St John & St Barnabas Church Hall, Belle Isle Road, LS10 3PG
Wednesday 27 June 5-8pm: Leeds College of Building, Cudbear Street, Hunslet Road, LS10 1HD
Elland Road Park & Ride
Tuesday 10 July 5-8pm: Hillside Enterprise Centre, Beeston Road, LS11 8ND
