Works to improve walking and cycling connections over the River Aire have completed, marking a significant milestone for cycling improvements in Leeds city centre.
The Crown Point Bridge Gateway scheme adds over 1km of protected cycle track over the bridge, Crown Point Road and Black Bull Street and aims to boost connectivity to the south-east of the city by encouraging more people to walk, wheel or cycle shorter journeys.
The scheme creates links to local education and new developments in the south bank, helping to give more people the opportunity to give cycling a go when getting around the city. The project also provided valuable work experience to local students.
Joshua, an apprentice traffic engineer working on the scheme, said: “As an apprentice, I had the opportunity to be involved in the construction of the scheme along Crown Point Bridge and Black Bull Street. My role was to assist the experienced traffic engineer with supervising the construction process, monitoring progress, and watching how any problems encountered onsite were resolved.
“I also gained valuable skills and knowledge that will help me in my future career as a traffic engineer and support my studying at Leeds College of Building.”
The Crown Point Bridge Gateway is part of a wider package of works which aim to fill missing links in Leeds’ existing cycle network by adding 2.71km of two-way protected cycle track, creating wider pavements and new safer crossings.
By creating safer opportunities for people to walk and cycle, the council is moving towards its ambition to increase walking by 33% and cycling by 400% by 2030. Progress has already been made towards this overall goal, with walking and cycling journeys both increasing in the city centre over the last year.
The route provides an alternative to driving into the city by connecting and expanding Leeds' cycling network. This includes direct cycle routes to Hunslet, Elland Road, White Rose and Stourton Park & Ride, as well as the National Cycle Route Network 66. It is also close to e-bike docking stations, with fully electric bikes available to hire as part of the council’s Leeds City Bikes scheme.
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said: “I am thrilled to see the finished improvements to the Crown Point Bridge Gateway and it provides a vital route into the city which is already well used by commuters and cycle users. I’d also like to thank everyone for their patience whilst the work was ongoing.
“We’re making good progress with our targets to increase walking and cycling in the city and schemes like this give even more people the opportunity to try alternative methods of travel for getting around.
“By increasing the opportunities for giving cycling a go, more people will be able to embrace cycling as a normal everyday activity for getting to and from key destinations and it will help our ambition to reduce reliance on car travel for shorter journeys.”
Both the e-bike hire scheme and the cycle network improvements are being delivered by Leeds City Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This investment in Leeds city centre is just one of the ways we’re working together to make West Yorkshire a better place to live and work.
“Changing our travel habits is about having access to different options.
“A reliable and inclusive transport network, which puts cycling and walking at the heart of our everyday lives, is key to our plans for a stronger and better-connected region.”
The other schemes in the cycling network improvements package that are currently under construction or nearing completion include:
- Western Gateway – Kirkstall Road to Wellington Street (A65)
- Dewsbury Road Connector – Dewsbury Road and Parkfield Street
- Southern Gateway – Neville Street and Sovereign Street.
- They are being delivered through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which aims to make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport.
