Travel views sought on busy section of city centre

People living and working in a busy part of Leeds city centre are being urged to share their thoughts to help improve transport options and public spaces.

The area earmarked for improvements is to the east of the city centre and includes Leeds Bus Station, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds City College, SOYO and Quarry House.

Leeds City Council said the section of the city was home to "important leisure, cultural and educational facilities", however the lack of green areas made it "uninviting".

Councillor Tom Hinchcliffe, from the council, said: "By sharing your experience of travelling in the area, we'll be able to make the right improvements to make it a safer, more welcoming space for everyone."

Roads involved in the consultation include St. Peter's Street, York Street, Eastgate, Duke Street, Kirkgate, Crown Point Road, Marsh Lane and East Street, with improvements said to be part of aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable travel.

Issues highlighted in the area by the local authority include congestion and road safety problems, a lack of public spaces and an incomplete cycle network.

According to the council, there were 260 road-related casualties in the area between 2014 and 2024, 32 of which were serious and three were fatal.

More than 1,700 car journeys are made per hour along St. Peter's Street at peak times, it said, leading to congestion around the bus station.

Nathan Delahunty, a Leeds Conservatoire student, drives into the city centre from New Farnley as cycling can be "treacherous".

He said the journey to the institution for music and performing arts can take up to 45 minutes in rush hour, with Crown Point Road becoming particularly congested.

Discussing walking around the area, the 22-year-old feels more pedestrian crossings would improve safety.

More than 3,500 pedestrians cross York Street daily, according to the council, but it added the current road layout made it difficult for people walking, wheeling and cycling to move around safely.

Hannah Clancy, manager at Livett's Coffee on St. Peter's Square, said people often park across a dropped kerb on the road, blocking wheelchair users from accessing the pavement.

Drivers often fail to indicate when they are moving between lanes on St. Peter's Street, she said.

The 29-year-old feels a 'keep clear' box on St. Peter's Street at the junction with St. Peter's Square would be "quite helpful", adding: "People do block the road when you are trying to turn out.

"Most of the time people are courteous in letting you out, but some people block the way and don't really care if you are there."

Hinchcliffe, Leeds City Council's executive member for transport and planning, said: "This is an important step towards a transport system that prioritises efficient public transport and supports all forms of travelling, making it easier and safer for people to get around the city.

"Public spaces are there to be used and enjoyed by everyone and it's important that we make these spaces welcoming, accessible and well connected."

He added: "We urge everyone that travels through this area - whether you walk, cycle, drive or take the bus - to take part in the consultation and share your views."

Olivia Davidson, 23, who works at Northern Ballet on St. Cecilia's Street, said she feels "structural change" is the answer to traffic and transport issues.

She said more green and public spaces would "definitely" benefit the area, making it feel "more friendly".

Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority plan to use feedback to develop plans for "safer ways of travelling for everyone and more welcoming public spaces".

The council said the plans would then go out to further public consultation, with the intention of funding a scheme from the 2027-2032 Transport for City Regions fund.

Councillor Eleanor Thomson, deputy chair of the combined authority's Weaver Network Board, said: "By making roads safer and improving facilities for pedestrians, bus users and cyclists, we are helping more people choose greener and healthier ways to travel.

"We want to hear from everyone that uses this route to help us build a better-connected region that works for all."

An online survey is open until 17 November, with five in-person consultation events set to be held between 21 October and 5 November.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.