Sovereign Street in Leeds has become one-way in an effort to improve cycling and walking connections across the city centre.
Leeds City Council is delivering the works as part of a package of cycling and walking improvements, in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The improvements are designed to help link neighbouring active travel projects including the Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme at Leeds City Station, so that people can travel into and around the city centre without relying on a car.
Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, Helen Hayden, said: “These improvements will mark another positive step forward in our efforts to provide a better-connected city which is more easily accessible for people using more sustainable methods of transport.
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“As with all our works in the city centre, we aim to keep disruption to a minimum and would always encourage motorists in particular to plan their journeys in advance to avoid being affected by the road closure.”
Works began on Thursday 04 January and have resulted in the introduction of a one-way system running west to east along the length of Sovereign Street from Neville Street towards Swinegate.
This will allow for the construction of a segregated two-way cycle track along the other side of Sovereign Street. It will also see upgraded traffic lights installed at the junction between Sovereign Street and Neville Street.
A temporary one-way system has been introduced to allow for the improvements to be carried out. Sovereign Street will then become one-way permanently upon completion of the works which is scheduled to be in April.
Access for businesses and residents will be maintained throughout the duration of the works.
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Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin 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 scheme is being delivered through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which is aimed at making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
Achievements and innovations in active travel and transport planning will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
