The ELOR is a requirement established through the Local Development Framework.
The plans are part of our Connecting Leeds programme, with the ambition to improve travel in Leeds for people who live, work in and visit the city.
These improvements are funded by the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, plus further money which will be raised from housing developments in the East Leeds Extension to fully repay the Council's borrowing costs.
The East Leeds Extension is a sustainable urban extension for East Leeds, extending over 233 hectares around the edge of Red Hall, Swarcliffe, Whinmoor and Crossgates, and focusing on high-quality new homes set within attractive and connected green spaces and routes.
East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR)
In order to allow development of the ELE overall, there was a requirement for a major new dual carriageway scheme in a green corridor setting to create new capacity and links for vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians, plus reduce pressure on the existing Outer Ring Road. The ELOR will be 7.5km long and will fully connect the Outer Ring Road at Red Hall all around the eastern side of Leeds, and through the William Parkin Way link road at Thorpe Park into junction 46 of the M1.
The Council has led on its delivery and this is one of the largest infrastructure schemes in the city for decades. The ELOR will open in late summer 2022 and you can follow the latest ELOR developments on the project website.
While the ELOR will be the edge of the built up area, beyond there will also be a new country park, public rights of way linkages, and improved cycleways for new and existing residents alike. Sustainable urban drainage systems will be a key part of the greenspace network, to mitigate against flooding and provide a dual benefit for wildlife and amenity.
As well as public consultation, a range of other groups and individuals were involved in drawing up the plans. These include the Environment Agency, Historic England, West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Ward Members, Parish Councils, land owners, Leeds Local Access Forum and Leeds Cycling Forum. Feedback received through consultation informed the approved ELOR design. The planning application is available to view online by visiting Leeds Public Access and using the reference 17/04351/LA.
The below fly-through video illustrates the proposed road layout, and drone footage of the construction in progress can also be viewed from the project website ELOR .
Outer Ring Road Junction Improvements
Further details including contact details regarding these improvements can be found on the Outer Ring Road Improvements page.
A6120 Enhancement
This project included enhancements to the existing A6120 Outer Ring Road between Red Hall and the M1, to help East Leeds to become more attractive and safer for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
East Leeds Transport
Joining up the transport strategy for East Leeds brings together the range of transport improvements proposed as part of the ELE and more widely across the area to allow better connectivity with Leeds City Centre and other destinations such as Thorpe Park Leeds and the Leeds Enterprise Zone. This includes the potential for bus corridor improvements along the A64 York Road, alongside options to extend local bus services as part of the ELE and more extensive pedestrian and cycle connectivity improvements.
A new railway station at Thorpe Park has been approved funding, which will provide better access to Leeds and York for nearby residents and a strategic park and ride facility. For more information see Thorpe Park Leeds.
