Three Leeds traffic jam hotspots set for £360k upgrade

-Credit: (Image: Google)
-Credit: (Image: Google)


Bus passengers are set to get to their destinations quicker after Leeds City Council secured £360,000 for road upgrades at three notorious traffic jam hotspots.

The council plans to introduce signal improvements and a new bus lane, with the new signalling technology set to alleviate delays on High Royds Drive in Guiseley and Selby Road in Halton. A council report said: "First Bus have expressed that the services 33 and 34 which use the junction at High Royds in Guiseley suffer from acute delays. Therefore, bus timetables have to frequently change to accommodate the reliability issues."

Read more: Man who pushed stranger onto tracks as train approached jailed for life

Pedestrian crossing safety is also set to be improved at the Temple Newsam Road and Chapel Street junctions of Selby Road. A third scheme will aim to improve journey times in South Accommodation Road in Hunslet, where currently a 500-metre journey can take up to 20 minutes.

The report stated: "This intervention is likely to involve a new bus lane."

The funding comes from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Bus Highway Hotspot Improvement Programme (BHHIP), paid for by the government's Levelling Up Fund. The signalling works for Guiseley and Halton are expected to be delivered during 2024/25 and the following year.

Read more: Leeds United's Anfield inspiration for Elland Road redevelopment and £10m cost explained

A preferred option for South Accommodation Road will be presented in Spring 2025. The report concluded: "It aims to improve journey time reliability and reduce bus delays."

"This will make bus travel more attractive by improving connectivity and accessibility to employment, education and training, particularly for those with limited access to cars."

Get all the latest and breaking news in Leeds by signing up to our newsletter here.