This scheme has been developed to enable access to key economic development sites within the Aire Valley Leeds regeneration area as well as providing some traffic relief to large densely populated areas of east Leeds. An increase in funding from the Department for Transport was secured in December 2005 for the scheme which will connect the Inner Ring Road Stages 6 and 7, at South Accommodation Road, with the M1 at Junction 45. Inner Ring Road Stage 7 is presently under construction this will include a direct link onto the Southbound M621. The East Leeds Link and Stage 7 will provide a more appropriate link from the M1 (North) to the M621 which has been missing since the opening of the A1-M1 Link.
The works include the construction of approximately 3.9km of dual 7.3m carriageway, with 5 major intermediate junctions and terminal connections to the existing highway network. Three of the major junctions are roundabouts and the remaining two are to be controlled by traffic signals. Peak period tidal High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are to be incorporated into the scheme, in order not to increase the peak period radial capacity above that required to accommodate traffic accessing the development sites.
The northbound off-slip at M1 Junction 45, which is currently not open to traffic, is to be widened and the roundabout signalised. At the western end of the scheme a new bridge, approximately 13.5m wide, is to be constructed over the Hunslet Branch railway line to carry the westbound (inbound) traffic and the existing bridge, of similar width, is to be re-decked to carry the eastbound (outbound) traffic as part of the works.
The scheme involves the construction of 9 retaining walls, with a retained height of up to 4 metres, and includes the construction of 3 culverts (1 for Wyke Beck and 2 at Bellwood Roundabout) on existing watercourses.
Street lighting is to be provided throughout.
Every effort has been made to provide an ‘environmentally friendly’ design, through minimising the amount of earthworks import and disposal, by reprocessing and re-using materials within the site. A sustainable drainage (SUDS) approach has been adopted for ELL in order that the peak drainage flows from the road do not exceed the current run off from the Pontefract Lane corridor. This involves the construction of a balancing pond, installing balancing tanks under the road and the use of granular drains for water storage.
The cost for completing the scheme is £32.5 million. The Department for Transport has agreed to contribute £14.8 million and the remainder of the funding will be provided by the City Council through an agreement with Yorkshire Forward and three private landowners.
Important traffic management information
Pontefract Lane will be closed from Junction 45 of the M1 (North) to Thornes Farm junction at Cross Green for the duration of the works. A plan showing the section of Pontefract Lane which will be affected by the closure can be downloaded from this page.
Knowsthorpe Crescent Rail Bridge July 2008.
We have reached a critical point on the new Rail Bridge and next week starting on Monday 21st at 7.30am and will continue until Wednesday 23rd there will be some disruption to the local traffic network. This will be limited to the closure of Knowsthorpe Crescent which will affect traffic wishing to turn left or right into Knowsthorpe Crescent from its junction with the new road. Access to the industrial Estate will be maintained as at present.
Some plans are available to down load for more information
- Knowsthorpe Crescent Closure July 2008.pdf
Downloadable information
From this page you can download
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Plan of the scheme
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Plan of Pontefract Lane closure
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Weekly traffic management bulletin
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Construction news (updated monthly)
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Frequently asked questions
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Progress photographs
Visit the link from this page for information on possible options to minimise the impact of the construction of this scheme on your journey time. (Beat the traffic delays)