Leeds A660 work begins to upgrade major route into city

The A660 has a "high casualty rate," Leeds City Council said

Work has begun on a scheme to improve safety and upgrade junctions on a major road in Leeds.

The £10.4m programme of works on the A660 Otley Road, Headingley Lane and Woodhouse Lane will take place in nine phases, Leeds City Council said.

It aims reduce the high number of casualties on the road.

Work includes installing cycle lanes, closing two roads to traffic and creating more pedestrian crossings. It is due to be completed in spring 2025.

The council has warned people to expect disruption and delays on the route during the work.

A public consultation that asked people for their views on the scheme received a 62% positive response, the authority said.

Work has already begun on changing the bus stops and widening pavements on Headingley Lane from Spring Bank Crescent to Richmond Road.

'High casualty rate'

Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said the route "suffers from a high casualty rate" with 172 people killed or injured on the road between 2016 and 2021.

"These works, once delivered, will improve safety for all road users, aiming to meet our Vision Zero Strategy goal of eliminating road deaths and serious injury on Leeds' roads by 2040," she said.

"Along with the recently completed Shaw Lane junction improvements, the works will provide more travel options for residents, helping towards tackling climate change and improving people's health and wellbeing."

The work includes creating extra crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, widening pavements and installing segregated cycle lanes.

Some bus stops will also be moved, St Michael's Road and Regent Park Avenue will be closed to vehicles to "prevent rat-running" and junctions will be upgraded under the council's plans.