Armley town street route revamp — £2.91 million plan to boost public transport and enhance pedestrian spaces.
The £2.91 million proposals are designed to alleviate bus delays and enhance the street environment for visitors and shoppers in Armley Town Street through wider pavements, increased planting and landscaping, and additional crossing points to promote active travel. This initiative is part of Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s successful application to Active Travel England’s Active Travel Fund Tranche 4, securing £7.9 million. Including funds from Tranches 1-3, this brings the total investment to £22 million for improving transportation infrastructure across Leeds.
The proposed enhancements for Armley Town Street include a comprehensive plan to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, shoppers, and transit users. Key features of the plan are:
New Pedestrian Crossings: Four additional crossing points will be established, with two on Armley Town Street, one on Carr Crofts, and one on Wesley Road, enhancing pedestrian safety.
Wider Pavements: The sidewalks along Armley Town Street will be widened to provide more space for pedestrians and shoppers, improving the overall street environment.
Enhanced Bus Facilities: Bus waiting areas will be improved with upgraded stops and added greenery.
Cycling and Walking Links: New routes for cyclists and pedestrians will connect surrounding streets directly to Armley Town Street.
Bus-Only Section: A section of Armley Town Street, from Theaker Lane to Wesley Road, will be designated for buses, authorized taxis (black and white), emergency vehicles, and cyclists only.
Environmental Enhancements: The addition of new trees and innovative landscaping, including rain gardens, will beautify the area and assist in managing surface water runoff.
Parking and Loading Adjustments: New short-stay pick-up/drop-off areas will be created on Theaker Lane, Stocks Hill, and Crab Lane, catering to private hire taxis. There will also be adjustments to disabled parking spaces and loading bays to better serve the needs of the community.
Road Closures: Two streets, Wesley Road and Theaker Lane, will be closed to through traffic to prevent rat-running through residential areas.
Speed Reduction: The speed limit along Armley Town Street will be lowered from 30mph to 20mph to enhance safety for all street users.
These improvements are designed to create a safer, more attractive, and more accessible Armley Town Street, fostering a better environment for public transport users and active travelers alike.
To accommodate the new enhancements, there will be a decrease in on-street parking spaces along Armley Town Street. However, alternative short-stay parking options are available nearby at Armley Leisure Centre and the Home Bargains (formerly Wilko) car park, both of which are just a 2-3 minute walk from Town Street.
The planned improvements, including additional pedestrian crossings and wider pavements, are designed to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and wheelers. Furthermore, bus shelters on Armley Town Street will be relocated and upgraded to offer a more comfortable waiting environment for transit users.
A key component of the plan is the creation of a bus-only section on Armley Town Street. This change aims to reduce bus delays by redirecting motor vehicle traffic to major roads such as A647 Stanningley Road and Tong Road. This adjustment will free up a larger portion of Armley Town Street for pedestrians, local markets, and community events, significantly enhancing the area’s appeal and functionality.
The proposals for Armley Town Street are aligned with Active Travel England’s Active Travel Fund program, which aims to facilitate up to 16 million additional walking and cycling trips annually across the UK. These plans support Leeds City Council’s ambitious goals set in its Leeds Transport Strategy to increase cycling by 400%, walking by 33%, and bus usage by 130%.
Furthermore, the initiatives are designed to enhance road safety for all users, in accordance with the council’s Vision Zero 2040 strategy, which aims to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on Leeds roads by 2040. The new road designs will focus on safety for vulnerable road users, incorporating features that are forgiving of human error and minimize the risk of serious injuries.
In conjunction with the Armley Town Street enhancements, Leeds City Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, has secured additional funding from a £6.2 million City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. This funding will augment ongoing efforts to improve accessibility for walking, cycling, and public transport use. A portion of this funding is dedicated to the Healthier Streets program, which aims to enhance cycling and walking connections to Armley Town Street. This component is also included in the ongoing public consultation.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s 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 in the area. 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.
By reducing congestion and general traffic on the street, we can create a better space to enjoy, shop and spend time in. If you have a connection to Armley Town Street we want to hear from you, so please feedback on the plans so we can take your views on board as we develop them.”
Councillor Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said:
“Schemes like these are key to making it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport in West Yorkshire. I’d encourage people to have their say on these proposals to help build a greener, better-connected region that works for everyone.”
Residents and businesses are being consulted on the proposals until Thursday 22 August 2024 Armley Town Street Consultation
You can also attend a drop-in event:
Thursday 8th August 2024, 3-7pm,
Interplay Theatre,
Armley Ridge Road,
LS12 3LE
To request paper copies of the proposals and the survey, or a reasonable adjustment, please contact 0113 336 8868 or email connectingleeds@leeds.gov.uk
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of West Yorkshire, England. Formed to streamline and enhance the effectiveness of local governance, the WYCA brings together the five metropolitan boroughs of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield to collaborate on economic, transport, and regeneration projects.
