Background and Rationale to the Scheme
Leeds Inner Ring Road Stage 7 has provided the final link, connecting Stage 6 (completed in 2000) to the M621 and the wider motorway network.
Construction of the £50 million scheme started in May 2006 and was opened in mid October 2008.
The route runs fromRichmond Bridge over the River Aire and connects with Junction 4 of the M621. The construction comprised dual two and three-lane carriageways, through a previously industrial environment, with slip road links onto the M621. The principal features of the scheme are the 500 metre long John Smeaton Viaduct over the existing local road network, three bridges over the Leeds-to-Castleford railway line and the cable stayed footbridge over the M621.
The scheme assists in removing remaining through traffic from Leeds central area, and with the M621, provides a continuous circulatory route around the city centre. The opening of the scheme will improve travel times across the city and relieve congestion in Hunslet and Holbeck as well as the city centre.
The Inner Ring Road Stage 7 scheme together with the East Leeds Link, due to open shortly, will improve access to the Aire Valley regeneration area and the east side of the city. A plan showing East Leeds Link and the Inner Ring Road connections to the south east Leeds road network can be downloaded from this page.
The design and construction of the project has been procured by Leeds City Council. The partnership agreement between Leeds City Council, Mouchel as designer and Carillion Civil Engineering as contractor has delivered a scheme within both time and budget.
The decision was made to construct the John Smeaton Viaduct in weathering steel reflecting the industrial heritage of Hunslet and saving millions of pounds on long term maintenance.
The slender cable stayed footbridge over the M621 marks the gateway to Leeds from the south.
Councillor Andrew Carter, executive member for Development and Regeneration, said with respect to the scheme:
“Now we will see thousands of motorists benefiting on daily basis from free flowing traffic around Leeds as well as allowing scope for further public transport improvements.
Not only will it relieve pressure from city centre streets and congestion in surrounding areas, but the enhanced road network will help attract further development and investment in the city as part of the city’s regeneration.”
Formal Opening of the Scheme
The Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon, is due to formally open the scheme on 13 November 2008.
Further contact
For further information on the scheme, please call the project site office on telephone 0113 235 4000 until the end of 2008 when that office will close, or emaildion.crawshaw@leeds.gov.uk
23 October 2008