Plan to ease traffic and boost safety on busy road

Artist's impression showing changes to Town Street, including a bus-only zone

Plans have been unveiled to reduce traffic and improve pedestrian access in a busy shopping street in west Leeds.

The city council announced a £2.91m plan to upgrade Armley Town Street with a bus lane, new crossing points and fewer parking spaces.

The speed limit would also be reduced from 30mph to 20mph, with the scheme aimed at making it “easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle", the council said.

Residents are invited to share their views on the plans in a consultation open until 22 August.

Leeds City Council said the changes aimed to make it "easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle"

The proposals also include wider pavements, new cycling and walking links from surrounding streets, trees and landscaping, and improved bus stops.

The section of road from Theaker Lane to Wesley Road would be accessible only by buses, taxis and emergency vehicles.

This would divert other traffic from Armley Town Street to the main roads of the A647 Stanningley Road and Tong Road, the council said.

There would also be closures on Wesley Road and Theaker Lane to prevent motor vehicles taking shortcuts through residential streets.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, council executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: "Armley Town Street is a great local high street, and a central hub for local residents.

"We want to expand upon this by transforming its look and feel whilst improving journeys for people on a bus, on foot or on a bike by making them quicker, safer and more accessible."

Residents are invited to share views on the Town Street plan in a consultation running until 22 August

Residents told the BBC the proposals could be "a big help".

Peter Smith, 65, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said it had “gradually got worse over the years".

“There’s a backlog on a morning. If you’re on a bus it’s like hedgehog pace,” he added.

Chantelle Mitchell, 46, has lived locally for her whole life.

She said putting money into Armley was “definitely” a good thing, but questioned “how long it’d take them, probably beyond my years".

Peter Smith, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said buses travelled at a "hedgehog pace" through Armley

Joanne Brooksbank, 49, who was walking through Armley with her son, thought the plans would be “good for pedestrians and everything".

There’s been a lot of accidents along this road.

“In September, my son’s going to be walking down here to get a bus, so anything to make him safer is better for the community at the end of the day.”

However, she was concerned that the proposals include a reduction in parking spaces.

“I’d be worried about the local shop areas that use the parking for people to go in, like the cafes at the top of the street," she said.

Joanne Brooksbank raised concerns about the potential loss of parking spaces

The council said short-stay parking remained available a two to three-minute walk from Town Street.

The council is inviting residents to attend a drop-in event to discuss the plans on 8 August.

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