Road users are “being urged to prepare” as what Leeds Council calls “significant construction work” begins on the A6120 and A660 from Monday, August 11.
The work is to make improvements to the Lawnswood Roundabout, one of the busiest junctions in north Leeds, that has almost 50,000 vehicles passing through it every day.
Leeds City Council said the A660 corridor has high volumes of cyclists, pedestrians and bus users, and added that the junction lacks adequate crossing facilities and is a major barrier for walking and cycling, especially given the proximity to Lawnswood school.
Between 2020 and 2024, the junction suffered from a poor safety record with 25 recorded injuries at the roundabout, including six serious injuries.
The scheme is part of the Connecting Leeds strategy and is expected to take around 12 months to complete.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “Having a junction with poor safety record right next to a school is essential to fix, so I am delighted to see the works starting this month.
“It’s vitally important we address the safety of drivers and all road users, all as part of our Vision Zero strategy to work towards eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries.
“The A660 corridor also has high volumes of cyclists, pedestrians and bus users, but the junction lacks proper crossing facilities and is a major barrier for walking and cycling, especially close to Lawnswood School.
“We will keep residents regularly updated as the works progress and have set up a website https://lawnswoodroundabout.commonplace.is/ with information about the project, along with plans and timescales.
“Local residents and businesses have been sent a letter to help them learn more about how the construction will impact them.”
The approach to Lawnswood Roundabout (Image: LCC)
The plans include introducing several changes at Lawnswood roundabout and the surrounding area:
- Making it a signalised roundabout.
- Signalised pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities at the roundabout.
- Segregated cycle facilities on the approaches to the roundabout.
- New signalised pedestrian crossing of A660 Otley Road, just north of Weetwood Road.
- A slight extension to the existing southbound bus lane on Otley Road.
- Reduced speed limits from 70mph on A6120 Ring Road, between King Lane and Lawnswood roundabout, as follows:
- 40 mph between Lawnswood roundabout and Leeds University sports facilities access.
- 50 mph between Leeds University sports facilities access and Tongue Lane.
- 40 mph east of Tongue Lane.
- New waiting and loading restrictions within the vicinity of the roundabout.
Cllr Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “These works are about making our roads safer for everyone – whether you’re walking, cycling, driving, or using public transport.
“By improving crossings, reducing vehicle speeds, and introducing cycle lanes, we’re helping ensure Lawnswood junction is a place where everyone can travel easily and safely.
“It’s an important step towards a greener, more accessible, and better-connected region.”
Eric Wright Civil Engineering is delivering the project for Leeds City Council, and managing director Gavin Hulme said: “Road safety works are one of our areas of expertise and we will endeavour to minimise disruption by working with local businesses and residents to minimise disruption. We have a dedicated site email address LawnswoodEnquiries@ericwright.co.uk to assist communication with stakeholders.”
The improvement scheme will be funded predominantly by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund Corridor Improvement Programme Phase 2, with a small amount of Section 106 Developer Contributions. No Leeds City Council budget will be used.