Latest news with #JonathanPryor
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Further road improvements for major Leeds route
The latest phase of a £10m scheme to improve safety on a major road in Leeds will begin on 2 June. Leeds City Council said there were 172 casualties on the A660 over a five-year period, between 2016 and 2021. In addition to making it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to use the route, the roadworks are intended to speed up bus journeys between Headingley and the city centre. The work includes creating segregated cycle tracks, upgrading junctions and changes to pedestrian crossings. The council said the work is due to be completed by the summer of 2026. The improvements are being funded by a £10.4m grant from Active Travel England, with this phase of work being delivered by Hinko Construction. It includes delivering a segregated inbound and outbound cycle track on both sides of the road, changing pedestrian crossings outside the Arndale Centre and The Original Oak to toucan crossings, and a major upgrade of junctions at Hyde Park Corner and North Lane. Other improvements include introducing a 20mph speed limit between Shaw Lane and St. Michael's Road, wider pavements, and continuous crossings at most junctions, upgrading bus stops and shelters, and providing better access to public transport outside the Arndale Centre. From Monday 16 June, the junction of St. Michael's Road and the A660 will be permanently closed to motor vehicles, with the area being transformed into a public space. The junction of the A660 with Regent Park Avenue will also be closed to motor vehicles from 30 July, and the existing left-turn road closure from Woodhouse Street to A660 Woodhouse Lane will be made permanent, with greenery and space for outdoor dining. The council's deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Jonathan Pryor, said the A660 was one of the city's busiest routes between north Leeds and the city centre. "It's important that we make these improvements so it's safer for everyone using it - helping to meet our Vision Zero-strategy goal of eliminating road deaths and serious injuries on Leeds roads by 2040. "As with any scheme of this nature, there is likely to be some disruption during construction, but we will work to keep this to a minimum - so we are encouraging people to plan ahead when travelling along this route." The work follows previous phases completed earlier this year. The council said the majority of works will be carried out between 09:30 and 15:30 on weekdays, and said bus routes would not be affected. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Leeds City Council Work begins on scheme to upgrade major route Cycle lane plan to go ahead despite objections Park campaigners' anger over Leeds traffic plan Council sorry after bollards installed at bus stop
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bus and bike lanes planned for busy city roads
Plans have been revealed for new bus and bike lanes along a major route in Leeds. The A6110 outer ring road and A643 Elland Road, linking the south of the city to the centre, are used by more than 38,000 people every day, according to Leeds City Council. The council said its proposals aimed to tackle "long-standing issues", including traffic jams and a high rate of crashes. A public consultation on the plans has started and people have until 8 July to have their say. The proposed changes include upgraded pedestrian crossings and bus stops, a new bus lane and segregated two-way cycle lanes. Since 2019, a total of 26 collisions have been recorded along the route, resulting in 31 casualties - including one fatality. It is hoped the alterations will help reduce carbon emissions and make bus services more reliable - in addition to supporting a strategy known as Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries by 2040. As the route forms part of a potential tram line to the White Rose shopping centre, the council said it would be working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to ensure the work complemented future plans. Two drop-in events will be held in the coming weeks to allow people to find out more about the plans: Thursday 19 June at Churwell Community Centre (15:00-18:00 BST) Thursday 26 June at Cottingley Community Centre (12:00-15:00 BST) Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's deputy leader and executive member for transport, said the proposals were a "vital step" towards improving travel. "This initiative is part of our commitment to make our city more inclusive, healthy and sustainable," said Pryor. "We urge everyone that uses this route, whether you walk, cycle, drive or take the bus, to share your views and help shape the future of this area." Views on the plans can be submitted on the council website. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Leeds City Council
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Temporary footbridge opens to keep town connected
A temporary footbridge across the River Wharfe will open later while repairs continue on the main crossing. The bridge, in Otley, has been built to allow for work to be carried out on the pedestrian footway on the neighbouring permanent bridge, which dates back to the 14th Century. The temporary structure links Wharfemeadows Park on one side of the river to Tittybottle Park on the other. Leeds City Council thanked residents for their "understanding and patience" while the work is completed. The permanent bridge is due to be closed until the end of Thursday to allow for the installation of concrete barriers and the painting of lines on the road. Upon reopening on Friday, a two-way traffic lights system will be in place for two weeks, the council said. The council's deputy leader, Jonathan Pryor, said: "This continues to be a complex and challenging project, so achieving this milestone to maintain pedestrian access across the river, marks significant success so far. "This vital work will always involve some disruption and we will continue our best efforts to minimise any of this as much as possible. "However, I know that it will still be inconvenient for people, and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience so far whilst we do this urgent work." In February, the council felled a large oak tree in Tittybottle Park after insisting the temporary footbridge could not be built otherwise. Protesters who wanted to save the tree had previously forced the felling to be postponed. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Tree to be felled after 'local support' for plan Oak tree felled after weeks of stand-offs Tree felling called off as protesters set up camp Leeds City Council
BBC News
27-05-2025
- BBC News
Temporary Otley footbridge opens as repairs continue
A temporary footbridge across the River Wharfe will open later while repairs continue on the main bridge, in Otley, has been built to allow for work to be carried out on the pedestrian footway on the neighbouring permanent bridge, which dates back to the 14th temporary structure links Wharfemeadows Park on one side of the river to Tittybottle Park on the City Council thanked residents for their "understanding and patience" while the work is completed. The permanent bridge is due to be closed until the end of Thursday to allow for the installation of concrete barriers and the painting of lines on the road. Upon reopening on Friday, a two-way traffic lights system will be in place for two weeks, the council said. The council's deputy leader, Jonathan Pryor, said: "This continues to be a complex and challenging project, so achieving this milestone to maintain pedestrian access across the river, marks significant success so far."This vital work will always involve some disruption and we will continue our best efforts to minimise any of this as much as possible."However, I know that it will still be inconvenient for people, and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience so far whilst we do this urgent work."In February, the council felled a large oak tree in Tittybottle Park after insisting the temporary footbridge could not be built otherwise. Protesters who wanted to save the tree had previously forced the felling to be postponed. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- BBC News
Otley Run: Bar crawl venues could have to pay for policing
A bar on the route of one of the country's biggest pub crawls has pushed back against a suggestion that venues should pay a levy for extra Otley Run sees about 4,000 people take part in the three-mile crawl between Headingley and Leeds city centre every have complained about anti-social behaviour, including violence and public urination, and politicians have now called for a voluntary payment from participating pubs and bars to fund police officers."We're getting slammed at every angle [financially] and I don't think we should be the ones expected to foot the bill," Andy Waugh, co-founder of Sixes Social Cricket, said. The pub crawl is not officially classed as an organised event, with drinkers walking between the 19 stops that are under separate leader of Leeds City Council, Jonathan Pryor, called the format a "loophole" and said the authority would be "looking to put pressure on the venues" to improve safety at a public meeting earlier this women were injured in a crossbow attack on the route in April, with a meeting being held to discuss the concerns of people living nearby. Mr Waugh added: "I understand there's a lot of people that come to do the Otley Run on a Saturday and that the services must be stretched, as empathetic as I am with that, we are also stretched as a hospitality business."Month after month, there seems to be more cost layered into our business. Whether it's National Insurance contributions increasing, minimum wage increases. I just don't know how they can justify a levy on an already struggling industry."On Saturdays, Otley Road is busy with thousands of people taking part in the crawl, many of them donning fancy dress costumes. Alfie Heale, who was dressed as a tiger, said it was "absolutely quality, best day out in Leeds"."It brings a lot of people to Leeds."Charlie Mack, a student in the city, said: "It's always good fun. The pubs are making lots of money, it's only one day a week so you can't really complain."Iona Taylor, who was with her friends in a beer garden of a pub, was celebrating her birthday weekend by doing the run."It's hilarious, I would recommend it to everyone. The camaraderie is amazing. It gets hectic. We've got here early to avoid the crowds but it's usually pretty full." In 2014, the city of Nottingham introduced a night-time levy for licensed premises, which covered was revoked in 2022 to ease financial pressure on local Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, said he supported the concept."What would be best is if the pubs themselves voluntarily started to pay into a fund, to show willing."We know how much money, more or less, they make on a Saturday, it would be a very small amount of profit to contribute towards the policing of the event." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
