£7.2m fund allocated to cycle improvement projects in Leeds

Work has begun on a series of cycle improvements in Leeds city centre, after £7.2m was allocated to the project by Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Four new routes will be added along existing and planned cycle networks to fill in gaps between vital transport links.

A total of 2.71km of two-way segregated cycle lanes will be added, as well as new wider pavements and side road crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate at Leeds City Council, said: ‘I’m proud of the speed that Leeds is continuing to add new cycle infrastructure across our city. It’s crucial that we give everyone the opportunity and encouragement to take up active travel here.

‘We want to make Leeds a cycle friendly city by embracing cycling as a normal everyday activity for everyone. We are working on greater and improved connectivity and with more appealing public space to make that vision a reality.

‘By linking up existing cycle infrastructure, we’ll help make active travel options like cycling safer and more appealing for people and will be essential to reducing reliance on car travel and meeting the Leeds City Region commitment to become a net zero carbon city region by 2038.’

The schemes are being funded through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, aimed at improving public transport routes and active travel options for walkers and cyclists.

Mayor Brabin said: ‘This investment in Leeds city centre is just one of the ways we’re working in partnership to make it easier for people to move around our region.

‘A reliable, efficient and inclusive transport system will help grow our economy, connect people with opportunities and tackle the climate emergency.

‘Cycling and walking have a vital role to play in this.’

Photo by Gary Butterfield