Connecting Leeds Launches Consultation

Connecting Leeds has announced that it is giving people a chance to have their say on proposed highways improvements which will enable the transformation of City Square.

This proposal will see City Square closed to general traffic along with changes to Boar Lane, King Street, Wellington Street, Aire Street, Quebec Street and the wider road network. These changes to the wider network will also accommodate the changing traffic movements caused by the improvements on the square itself.

The multimillion-pound project, which is due to start in 2022, proposes to reduce the volume of traffic passing through City Square and ease congestion by diverting it onto alternative routes, away from the city centre. This means more space can be freed up for public transport, as well as upgrading walking and cycling facilities and making the city centre a more pleasant place to live, spend time and travel through.

The scheme will help to:

• Create a world-class welcome for people arriving at Leeds Rail Station, and facilitate the redevelopment of the station and the arrival of HS2.
• Facilitate the creation of a new public and events space at City Square.
• Improve sustainable transport options and maximise their use by providing better routes and facilities for buses, pedestrians and cyclists.
• Reduce congestion and improve local air quality.

Connecting Leeds will also be hosting a public consultation on Saturday 11 September, 10am to 2pm in Mill Hill Chapel, City Square (subject to COVID-19 Government guidance).

Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate, said: “I’m pleased to see the launch of this consultation and I would encourage everyone who lives in or visits Leeds to have their say on the future of City Square.

“We want to make our city centre an even better place to visit and the works around City Square are part of that. Being able to walk out of the train station and be greeted by a new and improved public square, rather than the current road, is something that everyone can enjoy. It means better space for people, rather than cars.

“Reallocating road space in favour of public transport, walking and cycling has been fantastic in other areas of the city, helping us to achieve the council’s vision of a greater connected city with more appealing and liveable public spaces.

“This, alongside other schemes happening in the city, form part of our ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 as well as our preparation for the 2023 Year of Culture.”

People have until Thursday 23 September to go online and share their thoughts on the proposals.

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