Major roundabout roadworks 'causing frustration'

The roadworks are set to continue until Summer 2026

Work on a major year-long roadworks scheme in Leeds is causing "frustration and extra stress" for road users, according to some residents.

Construction work began on the project near Lawnswood roundabout on the A6120 Outer Ring Road and A660 Otley Road in August.

Leeds City Council said the scheme aimed to improve safety and create crossing points for people who wanted to walk or cycle, especially to nearby Lawnswood School.

But people attending a drop-in event to meet the construction team said they had worries about road safety, heavy traffic and delays while the work is carried out.

The most disruptive work is due to be carried out between 09:30 BST and 15:30 to avoid rush hour, Darran Thorn, contract manager at construction firm Eric Wright told people at the event.

He said no work was planned during the Christmas period, from 20 December to 4 January, to help ease traffic over the holiday.

The project will include the installation of traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and segregated cycle lanes.

The existing southbound bus lane on Otley Road will also be extended and the speed limit on the A6120 Ring Road, between King Lane and the roundabout, will be reduced from 70mph (112km/h) to stretches of 40 and 50mph (64 and 80km/h).

'Cycling feels dangerous'

James said the roadworks were adding extra stress to cycling

James Milson, 41, who cycles to work along the route, said the roadworks were "making drivers more frustrated and adding extra stress for cyclists".

About 50,000 vehicles use the roundabout every day, according to Leeds City Council.

Mr Milson said he felt the works had made journeys for cyclists "more convoluted and in parts more dangerous".

"It's those people who are doing the route every day who suffer," he said.

But he said he feared no-one would listen to his concerns at the drop-in event.

"There should be another route for people to be able to properly object to these schemes and make them be reconsidered.

"But it very much feels like a done deal."

'More speeding'

Hayley said she was worried about drivers speeding through nearby streets to avoid traffic

Hayley Booth, 58, lives on a street near the roundabout and said she had seen cars using Wynford Avenue as a cut-through to avoid the traffic.

Ms Booth said she had seen cars speeding in the area and she was worried because lots of young children played in the streets.

"Drivers have been sat in standing traffic for so long that they are looking to make up a bit of time," she said.

"But there has to be a consequence to this and that's why we're asking the contractors involved to think about the impact on the wider area."

She said residents had seen more accidents take place in the area following the start of the work.

Between 2020 and 2024 there were 25 accidents with recorded injuries at the roundabout, six of which were serious, according to Leeds City Council.

Ms Booth said: "The irony is, they've changed the roundabout to make it safer for everybody because of the accidents that they've seen - but as a result of that we're seeing even more."

'Work will improve safety'

Jackie said she hoped the project would improve safety

Jackie Irons, 60, works at West Park Dental Care on Otley Road and said she was worried about patients missing their appointments as a result of the roadworks.

She said the drop-in event was helpful because she found out about the different phases of work that are scheduled to be carried out.

"It's good to know the phases and when the roads will be closed because we can let our patients know in case they need to know longer to travel to us," she said.

However, she said she supported the aims of the project.

"Personally I think it's a very good idea, especially for the safety of Lawnswood School Pupils and also for the flow of traffic."

Leeds councillor Izaak Wilson attended the event and said that the work needed to be done

Izaak Wilson, 33, a councillor for Weetwood ward, said he understood the work was causing inconvenience but that it needed to be completed.

"Lots of people are acknowledging that it's going to be a bit disruptive, but equally Lawnswood Roundabout has been a safety issue for a long time," he said.

"It is annoying while it happens, but the main thing that people raise is wanting to know what is going on.

"We have made it our mission to be easy to get hold of about this, so we set up a Whatsapp group that people have joined so they can directly send us any questions."

The roadworks are set to continue until August 2026.

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