Work begins on new segregated cycle lane in West Yorkshire

Work has started today, 4th January, on a new 1.5-kilometre segregated cycle lane which will provide a boost for West Yorkshire’s growing network.

The construction of a new cycle lane on Dewsbury Road, Leeds, is part of a £6.9 million package of new infrastructure delivered through the Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme, which is aimed at enabling more people to travel by bike or on foot, in partnership with Leeds City Council.

The Dewsbury Road scheme will extend the existing segregated cycle route with a 1.5-kilometre section of new route between Garnet Road and Beeston Ring Road. Work is already underway on a new three-kilometre segregated cycling route between Elland Road Park and Ride and the city centre, and a segregated cycling and walking route on Claypit Lane is near completion.

The work to improve Clay Pit Lane for people travelling by bike and on foot between north Leeds and the city centre includes a 1.3-kilometre segregated route between Chapeltown Road and Woodhouse Lane. The new section will link to existing routes on Meanwood Road and provide people with a safer crossing over the Inner Ring Road.

“Enabling increasing numbers of us to travel by bike and on foot is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health, transport and economic challenges created by COVID-19, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net-zero carbon economy by 2038,” said councillor Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee.

“These important schemes will provide communities in Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet, as well as those in the north of the city, with high-quality cycling and walking routes and the Dewsbury Road scheme will provide an important missing link in the existing network to create a continuous 4.4km segregated route for south Leeds.

“From connecting people across our region, to reducing air pollution and congestion, and combatting physical inactivity and obesity, we know getting more people cycling and walking has a vital role to play in making West Yorkshire a great place to live and work.”

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, added: “During these difficult times, we’re working hard to make walking and cycling more attractive and natural everyday choices for exercising and commuting.

“We’re delighted we are bringing the construction phase of these schemes forward for new segregated cycle routes south of the city connecting Beeston, Holbeck, Hunslet and the city centre, as well as important work on Clay Pit Lane and Meanwood Road. Every new piece of segregated cycleway in Leeds gets us nearer to the 500 miles of cycle network we are aiming to deliver across the city.

“In this COVID-19 recovery phase, Leeds is creating many more new routes which offer improved safety for people who walk and cycle, offering convenience and championing health and wellbeing for our residents. Alongside improved segregated cycleways the scheme will improve the environment for pedestrians. This work funded through CityConnect will improve environmental sustainability, better air quality and reduce pollution of all types in and around Leeds. We look forward to seeing the schemes completed later this year.”

These projects have received £6.5 million from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

Read the January issue of BikeBiz below: