Yesterday, 4th January, work began on a new ‘segregated’ cycle lane in West Yorkshire.
Where is the Construction?
The cycle lane is being constructed on Dewsbury Road, Leeds.
It is part of a £6.9 million package of new infrastructure and the CityConnect programme.
The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council are collaborating to achieve the expansion. It remains part of a wider goal to enable more to travel by bike or on foot.
1.5km New Route
The construction will extend an existing cycle route with a 1.5 kilometre of new route spanning between Garnet Road and Beeston Ring Road.
It is not the only attempt to construct a network of cycling and walking routes.
Work is already being done on an alternate 3km cycling route between Eland Road park and ride and the city centre.
In addition, a cycling and walking route on Claypit Lane is near completion.
It is hoped that the construction will boost West Yorkshires’ growing network. It is hoped that encouraging walking and cycling will have a positive impact on climate and environmental goals too.
“An important missing link in the existing network.”
Councillor Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “Enabling increasing numbers of us to travel by bike and on foot is more important than ever.
“Not only as we look to address the health, transport and economic challenges created by COVID-19, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net-zero carbon economy by 2038.
“These important schemes will provide communities in Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet, as well as those in the north of the city, with high-quality cycling and walking routes.
“The Dewsbury Road scheme will provide an important missing link in the existing network to create a continuous 4.4km segregated route for south Leeds.
“From connecting people across our region, to reducing air pollution and congestion, and combatting physical inactivity and obesity, we know getting more people cycling and walking has a vital role to play in making West Yorkshire a great place to live and work.”
What about Kirklees?
Kirklees have had funding from the Government’s Active Travel fund. It will support more accessible walking and cycling routes around Kirklees.