Emergency works to a power cable mean that Sussex Avenue will be closed at its junction with Thwaite Gate (A639) from midnight tonight (20 July 2021). The close is expected to last until 3 September 2021.
In a statement Connecting Leeds said:
“Following exploratory works, National Grid are due to start emergency repairs to a power cable near the junction of the A639 Thwaite Gate and Sussex Avenue. In order to do this, an excavation will be required within the carriageway which will extend across the exit from Sussex Avenue.
“This will result in the closure of Sussex Avenue from its junction with Sussex Gardens to its junction with the A639 Thwaite Gate. This means no vehicles will be able to exit Sussex Avenue onto the A639 or George Mann Road. A signed diversion will be in place.”
The works are part of the improvement of the A61 south corridor along Hunslet Road and Low Road to improve bus and cycle journeys.
This is going to cause chaos, there are already four way temporary lights at Balm Road, Moor Road, the M621 J6 has been closed for years leading to more traffic passing through Hunslet, and lanes of queueing traffic. Forcing traffic down Midland Road is just going to make it worse. I do not know the extent of the works, has anyone considered reopening Sussex Gardens as a way of getting out onto Low Road, left hand turn only just for the duration? This way used to be open until a few years ago when it was closed to stop it being a rat run?