Overview
More details on improvement works at Armley Gyratory and bus priority measures through Stanningley, Bramley and Armley have been released by Leeds City Council.
The council has set a target of doubling the current 250,000 bus trips made in the city per day within 10 years and is wanting to hear people's views on plans to introduce new infrastructure, including bus priority measures on three key routes in the city:
- Bradford to Leeds via Stanningley, Bramley and Armley;
- Alwoodley to Leeds via Moortown and Chapel Allerton;
- and Oakwood and Roundhay to Leeds via Harehills and St James’s Hospital.
Under the plans, bus priority measures would be introduced, improving bus journey times and service reliability. Available space on roads would be increased, with enhanced cycling and walking provision also central to the plans.
Bus stops would be improved, with new features including offering the latest real-time service and travel information.
Dawsons Corner approach
1. Dawsons Corner Approach
The map above highlights two locations where the council has identified opportunities to deliver quicker bus journeys and more reliable services between the Leeds/Bradford boundary and Half Mile Lane.
Bradford Road (West of Dawsons Corner)
Issue
Buses get delayed in traffic along Bradford Road. On street parking in both directions limits traffic to use of two lanes rather than three.
Opportunity
Stop drivers from being able to park on street and change the left lane in both directions into bus lanes.
Benefit
Quicker bus journeys and more reliable services.
Impact
Drivers would no longer be able to park on the road.
Bradford Road (East of Dawsons Corner)
Issue
Buses get delayed in traffic on approach to and through Dawsons Corner towards Bradford.Cycle facilities through the junction are poor quality.
Opportunity
Create short new section of bus and cycle lane towards Bradford helping buses and cyclists get through the Dawsons Corner junction.The cycle lane in the opposite direction would remain in place.
Benefit
Quicker bus journeys and more reliable services.Plug the gap in the cycle track with cyclists able to use the new bus lane up to the Dawsons Corner junction.
Impact
On street parking to be relocated on the opposite side of the road and along Cote Lane. Doing this would impact on the grass verge and some trees.Potential loss of some westbound cycle track. Cyclists would need to use the new bus and cycle lane.
Dawsons Corner is one of the most congested junctions in the city. Improving the junction will reduce delays and the likelihood of rat-running on less suitable roads. Improvements at Dawsons Corner complement our plans to deliver wider improvements to the bus network between Bradford and Leeds, through Stanningley, Bramley and Armley.
- Leeds City Council
2. Dawson's Corner
General traffic
Issue
Long queues on all approaches to Dawsons Corner result in highly variable journey times.Delays encourage rat-running on less suitable routes and result in poor air quality.
Opportunity
Improve how the junction works to reduce congestion, building on the successes of recent schemes at Thornbury Barracks and Rodley roundabout where delays have been reduced.
Benefit
Reduced delays with more traffic staying on the main roads.Better air quality and more predictable journey times.
Impact
To work better, the new junction may have to be larger, which means that some additional land will be needed.
Buses
Issue
Traffic queues cause delays for buses on this key route between Bradford and Leeds.
Opportunity
Introduce bus lanes on approach to the junction, allowing buses to bypass queuing traffic.
Benefit
Quicker bus journeys and more reliable services.
Impact
Fewer lanes would be available for general traffic to allow for dedicated bus lanes to be provided.
Pedestrians & cyclists
Issue
People walking and cycling find it difficult or unattractive to cross the busy roads.
Opportunity
Improve pedestrian and cycle facilities at the junction as well as connections to New Pudsey Station and bus stops in the area.
Benefit
Increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists and make access to public transport more attractive and convenient.
Impact
There is a need to balance the needs of pedestrians and cyclists with efficient operation of the junction for traffic, requiring some trade-offs between different users.
3. Stanningley Road and Stanningley Bypass
Stanningley Road (approaching Bramley Station)
Issue
Traffic queueing back from Swinnow Road/Hough Lane junction often delays buses travelling towards the city centre at busy times.
Opportunity
Widen the road to create a new eastbound bus lane between Swinnow Lane and Dolphin Court, plus give buses priority over general traffic through the Swinnow Road/Hough Lane junction.
Benefit
Quicker bus journeys and more reliable services.
Impact
On street parking would need to be relocated to new laybys along the adjacent service road, resulting in the loss of grass verge. Modifications to the cycle track would be needed to provide space for the new bus lane.
Stanningley Road (Town End to Armley Park)
Issue
The 2+ lane (for vehicles of two or more persons) is frequently used illegally by lone drivers, creating additional traffic that can delay buses.
Opportunity
Consider conversion of the 2+ lane to a bus lane and extend it back along Stanningley Road to the Town End roundabout.
Benefit
Quicker bus journeys and more reliable services.
Impact
Other vehicles carrying more than one person would no longer be able to use the 2+ lane, potentially increasing journey times for generic traffic. Leeds City Council say:
"We have identified opportunities to deliver quicker bus journeys and more reliable services between Swinnow Lane and Armley Park."
4. Stanningley Road to Armley Road
The council has identified opportunities to deliver quicker bus journeys and more reliable services between Armley Park and Armley Gyratory.
Ledgard Way/Branch Road Junction (MC Carpets)
Issue
Congestion at the Ledgard Way/Branch Road junction causes delays for traffic at peak times, with queues often extending back towards Armley Gyratory, delaying buses.Waiting facilities at bus stops are poor due to a lack of space.There is a gap in the cycle track through the junction.
Opportunity
Ban certain turning movements at the junction to increase priority for traffic using Armley Road and Stanningley Road, reducing delays. Alternative routes would be provided.By reducing the number of different movements, more space can be provided for better bus stop facilities and cycle lanes through the junction, improving road safety. Pedestrian facilities can also be improved.
Benefit
Quicker bus journeys and more reliable services.Improve waiting facilities for bus passengers.Increase safety for cyclists, encouraging more cycle users.
Impact
Banning certain movements may increase traffic on other roads in the area and extend some journey times.The road may need to be widened into the grassed area which runs alongside Armley Road on the south side.
Armley Road (Ledgard Way to Abbott Court)
Issue
Buses using Armley Road travelling away from the city centre are often delayed in traffic.
Opportunity
Widen the road to create a new bus lane for buses travelling away from the city centre, allowing buses to bypass queueing traffic.
Benefit
Quicker bus journeys and more reliable services.
Impact
In order to create the new bus lane along Armley Road, the road would need to be widened into the grassed area. Several trees would need to be removed or moved.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON PROPOSALS HERE.
Consultation events
A series of consultation events about the bus priority measures will also be held which members of the public are welcome to attend:
- Monday, 19 March – 5pm to 8pm at Armley Leisure Centre
- Wednesday, 21 March – 5pm to 8pm at Bramley Community Centre
- Saturday, 24 March – 11am to 2pm at St James Parish Hall, Galloway Lane, Pudsey.
Armley Gyratory proposals
Leeds City Council is consulting over major changes to the junction which are aimed at busting the queues, improving traffic flows and complementing proposals to improve the bus network between Bradford and Leeds along Armley Road. More details - and have your say - here.
