About the project

About the project

To improve everyday life across the city, tackle climate change and improve health and wellbeing, we’re investing in our city centre streets to make Leeds safer for people walking, wheeling* and cycling. This supports our transport strategy for Leeds to be ‘a city where you don’t need a car’, where everyone has an affordable and accessible zero carbon choice in how they travel and aiming to increase walking by 33% and cycling by 400% by 2030. 

Our proposals to increase opportunities for active travel are part of a wider package of transformational works in the city centre. The closure of City Square has reduced through traffic from city centre streets, which means that surplus road space can be reallocated to space for walking, wheeling and cycling. 

The proposals are underpinned by our road safety investment which aims to improve safety for all road users and support the Vision Zero strategy; aiming to have zero deaths on Leeds roads by 2040. 

We know that many people still need to travel by car and our proposals retain major routes for cars in the city centre, as well as access to car parks and blue badge parking. We plan to retain access to bays for loading, taxis, coaches and car club vehicles. Bus routes will not be impacted by the proposals. Diversions and temporary road closures during and after the delivery of the scheme will be managed to reduce the impact on those travelling into the city centre. 

*Wheeling incorporates many methods for getting around, including using wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking aids and travelling with a pram or pushchair. 

Proposals are split into two sections:  

• Northern corridor: An 880m route along Great George Street and Merrion Street, linking with existing pedestrian and cycling provision on Great George Street, Cookridge Street, New Briggate and Calverley Street   

• Southern corridor: A 500m route along Kirkgate, High Court, The Calls, Call Lane and Swinegate, linking with existing and planned pedestrian and cycling provision on Kirkgate, Lower Briggate, Bridge End, The Calls and Sovereign Street. 

Click here to view proposals and have your say.