City centre improvements

We are working to create a city centre which is easier to get around, more accessible for everyone, and a better place to spend time. Our vision focuses on improving public transport routes, making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more appealing, and creating high-quality public spaces that support a thriving city centre. 

This work also supports Leeds Vision Zero, Leeds City Council’s commitment to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the city’s roads by 2040. By redesigning streets, reducing traffic danger, prioritising safer speeds and giving people more space, we’re creating a city centre where safety is built in from the start.

These changes are about more than individual projects. Together, they aim to transform how people move through and experience the city centre - whether commuting, shopping, studying, visiting, or running a business.

Making the city centre easier to get around

Reliable, efficient public transport is central to a successful city centre. Measures such as bus gates and bus lanes improve journey times, reduce congestion, and make bus travel a more attractive option. By giving buses clearer routes through the city, we can help people to get where they need to be more quickly and with greater reliability. Alongside this, we’re improving links between key destinations so that changing between bus, rail, walking and cycling is simpler and more intuitive.

Improving access for everyone

Accessibility is a core part of our approach. Our city centre improvements are designed to make streets, crossings and public spaces easier and safer to use for people of all ages and abilities. This includes clearer layouts, wider pavements and safer places to cross busy roads. By removing unnecessary barriers and designing streets that work better for people, we can create a city centre that feels welcoming and usable for everyone.

Transforming our station gateway into Leeds

The area around Leeds City Rail Station plays an important role as the main gateway to the city. Handling 28 million passengers a year, and forecasted to handle 50 million by 2040, ongoing and future improvements will modernise the station surroundings, improve pedestrian access, and create a more attractive and legible route between the station and the city centre. These transformational works will help the station area function better at busy times while also creating a stronger first impression for people arriving in Leeds.

Improving streets and public spaces

We’re rebalancing our city centre streets so that they work for people first, not just for traffic. This means creating new and improved public spaces, moving pedestrian crossings to better desire lines, removing staggered pedestrian crossings, widening pavements, adding greenery, and reducing through-traffic on highly pedestrianised routes.

These changes help to support local businesses, improve air quality, and make the city centre a more pleasant place to spend time - whether you’re working, meeting friends, shopping, or simply passing through.

Supporting a greener and healthier city

Encouraging walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport supports our climate ambitions and helps reduce carbon emissions. By making sustainable travel options safer, more direct and more appealing, we’re supporting healthier lifestyles and contributing to a cleaner and greener city centre.

Our long-term goal

City centre improvements are being delivered as part of a wider, long-term programme. While work may take place in stages, each project contributes to the same overall goal of a connected, accessible and people-friendly city centre that works for today and the future.

Find out more about our current and upcoming works across the city centre.