Armley Gyratory Highways Transformation Update

2 years on from the initial Armley Gyratory remodelling works beginning, we revisit the area to see how it is progressing.

Transcript

00:00 [Sound of traffic]

00:03 Armley Gyratory is a major entry and exit point for Leeds City Centre traffic

00:08 as a key junction on the A58 Leeds Inner Ring Road.

00:12 This footage from January 2022 was captured before the initial remodelling plans

00:18 for the gyratory began, with the project just one component of over £100 million

00:23 of investment in transformative highways.

00:26 The aim is to remove through traffic across the city centre, mitigate environmental issues,

00:32 better connect neighbourhoods and encourage people to travel on foot or by bike.

00:37 Throughout 2022 and 2023 there were numerous diversions in place

00:43 while particular elements of the work were completed.

00:47 As part of the scheme approximately 220 trees were removed to accommodate

00:52 the new gyratory alignment, road and footpath widening.

00:56 The tree removal was also to provide greater visibility for pedestrians and cyclists

01:01 travelling through the area.

01:03 In January 2023 the first of over 600 trees were planted in Armley, Beeston, Holbeck and Hunslet,

01:10 with 200 next to the gyratory itself.

01:14 This footage from summer 2023 shows the completed resurfacing works,

01:20 some remedial surfacing and lining works were completed during partial night-time closures.

01:26 As per the initial plans which were first consulted on in 2018,

01:37 the three footbridges around the gyratory are to be removed and replaced with new footbridges.

01:43 The first of these was the Spence Lane bridge, with the new footbridges including accessible ramps

01:49 to better meet the needs of non-motorised users and people with disabilities.

01:54 The bridge was removed by one of the world's most powerful all-terrain cranes.

01:59 The Gelderd Road footbridge was removed on the weekend of the 12th to the 15th of January 2024.

02:08 The work resulted in significant tailbacks being reported across the city,

02:13 with some saying they were forced to sit in traffic for up to three hours.

02:18 So, when will the Armley Gyratory works be completed?

02:22 Well, in terms of the gyratory footway, for those of you walking or wheeling,

02:26 there will be a diversion in place until spring 2024,

02:30 while works take place on constructing the new bridges.

02:33 The Wellington Road bridge removal and construction is anticipated to take place in summer 2024.

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