M621 upgrades works completed

A major upgrade of a key West Yorkshire motorway creating safer and quicker journeys for more than 55,000 motorists every day is now complete.

National Highways’ M621 junctions 1 – 7 improvement scheme supports economic growth aspirations, helping people and businesses access Leeds city centre and the surrounding area.

The M621 runs around the south side of Leeds and is a vital link between the heart of the city and the surrounding road network. During peak times, traffic could often become very congested.

The scheme has reduced delays and ensured there is less risk of slow-speed collisions, making it a safer part of the network. The improvements include:

• The creation of additional lanes for traffic at junction 2 next to Elland Road football stadium

• The permanent closure of junction 2a, reducing traffic volumes in Hunslet and Beeston

• Additional lanes for traffic at junction 3

• More free-flowing traffic between junctions 1 and 3
• The installation of new technology – including overhead electronic signs, roadside signals, emergency phones and CCTV

National Highways Regional Delivery Director Tim Gamon said:

“For just over two years, we have worked with our partners to create a safer and more efficient route for the thousands of people who travel through Leeds every day and we are delighted that this is now completed. It’s an excellent example of the human, economic and environmental benefits achievable through continued investment in our routes.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to motorists, residents, businesses and communities for their patience and support throughout our work.”

Community

As well as improving the network, National Highways, in partnership with delivery partner Keltbray Infrastructure Services, has worked to give back to communities in the region, with more than £20,000 raised or donated to local community organisations.

Among various volunteering activities, the project team helped restore some engines and carried out maintenance works at Middleton Railway, the world’s oldest continuously working railway. The work helped to keep trains running on the historic lines. Alongside members of the public and park wardens from Leeds Council, the team also helped to remove bracken from Adel Wood to preserve the biodiversity of historic moorland surrounding Leeds.

Members also helped raise more than £10,000 to support vulnerable individuals and communities in Leeds by taking part in The Leeds Big Sleep over two consecutive years. They raised funds for St George’s Crypt, St Gemma’s Hospice and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation. A further £10,000 has been donated to St Gemma’s Hospice, which was used to buy new patient lifting equipment, allowing staff to attend to incidents where patients have had falls. In turn, this has freed up valuable resources for emergency services across the city.

Inspiring the next generation

The M621 project team has helped inspire the next generation of construction and engineering professionals, having engaged in more than 40 events for schools, colleges, and community groups. Keltbray’s award-winning employment programme has supported individuals including the long-term unemployed, homeless, those suffering from mental ill health and ex-offenders.

Thirty students from Leeds colleges have been taken on work placements. The team has also delivered presentations about careers in construction to groups including the Leeds-based rehabilitation programme St George’s Crypt, HMP Wealstun, HMP New Hall and the Prince’s Trust.

Keltbray Major Projects Director Louise Pavitt said:

“The motorway is close to various residential communities in South Leeds – so it was important that we made connections with the people who would be affected by the work. As well as improving millions of journeys in Leeds, we’re really proud of the support we have provided for people in the city. We’ve carried out almost 300 hours of educational engagement, working in partnership with schools, colleges and universities and enabling young people to enable them to find out more about working in the construction industry.  It has also been a pleasure to volunteer with Middleton Railway and Champions Community Sport and Health, helping to give something back to people who work to improve the lives of people in Leeds.

“We’re also immensely proud to have delivered a scheme with an exemplary health and safety record. We achieved just under one-million hours of work on this scheme, without any harm to our people or the public.”

A vision for Leeds’s future

Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

“After two years of work, I am happy to see these works have completed on time. Thank you to council highways’ officers and the National Highways team for working collaboratively in helping to keep disruption to a minimum.

“These improvements complement other projects around the city centre, helping to keep Leeds moving and prevent delays. This project is another part of the Connecting Leeds transport strategy for Leeds, which supports our vision to be a city where you don’t need a car.

“Moving vehicles around the outer edge of the city to use the ring roads is enabling the council to transform the city centre for a more liveable, greener, and better-connected city. It will continue to help spark major economic improvement in the city centre, allowing opportunities to create better public spaces, for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport.”

Facts and figures

During the M621 improvement scheme:

• Over 52,000 square metres of new road surfacing material has been laid

• Over £20,000 of funding has been raised for, or donated to, local community organisations

• 10 new gantries have been installed

• A further three superspan gantries have been installed – crossing both of the carriageways

• 288 hours spent on educational engagement

• An additional £30,000 to be added in from the National Highways Social Value funding applications

• Over 60% of the workforce has been from the local area

• A further 300 hours spent on volunteering opportunities within the community

• Almost 3,000 new trees have been planted, along with further shrubs and areas of species-rich grassland

 

This post is based on a press release issued by National Highways