The Scheme
This scheme (ELL) 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. The inner ring road stage 7 is presently under construction this will include a direct link onto the southbound M621. The ELL and stage 7 will provide a more appropriate link between the M1 (north) and 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 have been 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 closed to traffic, is to be widened, the roundabout signalised and opened. 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 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.
HOV or 2+ Lane
East Leeds Link includes lanes for high occupancy vehicles (HOVs) and goods vehicles 7.5 tonnes or over. These lanes will operate at peak periods – inbound (to the city) from 7 – 10 am and outbound (to M1 Junction 45) from 4 – 7 pm.
During these hours the lanes can only be used by
- cars or vans with two or more occupants (including taxis and private hire vehicles with two or more occupants)
- buses / coaches
- pedal cycles / motorcycles
- emergency vehicles
- all goods vehicles with two or more occupants
- all goods vehicles 7.5T or over with one or more occupant
The lanes will be enforced by the Police, normally by issuing fixed penalty tickets to drivers who use the HOV (2+) lane illegally.
The police will issue fixed penalty tickes to those who use the HOV (2+) lane illegally
You can download more information in the pdf HOV or 2+ lane leaflet from the right hand side of this page.
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.
Road Layout changes Latest news
Monday 1st December onwards
We are starting to complete the surfacing on Pontefract Lane between Its junction with Cross Green Lane and Thornes Farm Approach. This requires a temporary 10mph speed limit to be brought into force during the surfacing periods. This will be achieved by the use of traffic signals and traffic management vehicles with flashing amber lights. These vehicles will escort traffic through the length of the surfacing works to ensure the safety of road users and those carrying out the works.
We thankyou for your patience during this period and will ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.
For details of the scheme when complete please see the downloadable Plan of the scheme
Downloadable information
From this page you can download
- Plan of the scheme
- Plan of Pontefract Lane closure
- Weekly traffic management bulletins
- Construction news (updated periodically)
- Frequently asked questions
- HOV or 2+ Lane leaflet
- Plan showing ELL and inner ring road connections to the south east road network
- 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)