Leeds Temple Green Park and Ride goes from strength to strength

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin opens extension to Park and Ride facility with 391 additional parking bays and 6 electric charging points

22 March 2022

West Yorkshire Combined Authority officially launched additional facilities for passengers travelling to Leeds City Centre on the 15 March 2022. In partnership with Connecting Leeds at Leeds City Council, the £7.8m hub has contributed to easier road usage for public transport in the city centre and greater accessibility for commuters and visitors by creating up to 391 additional car park spaces. This scheme is expected to save 3,308 tonnes of carbon emissions and created 24 construction jobs during its construction.

The scheme has received £7.4m from the Government’s Getting Building Fund investment programme to accelerate local, shovel-ready infrastructure projects to stimulate jobs and support economic recovery across the Leeds City Region.

School children from nearby primary school, Meadowfield, were guests at the opening event and were read to by children’s author, Chris Madeley. Her collection of Cones books opens children’s minds to schemes in their localities through the lives of a set of friendly cones. The books explore what changes to transport need to happen to improve health and the environment by tackling pollution through the reduction of carbon emissions.

Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“It’s always good to see a park and ride open but it’s even better when you see one that is growing, as this means that you’re taking more cars off the road, travelling into the city centre.

“I am delighted to stand with my colleague Cllr Helen Hayden, once again, acknowledging the excellent work taking place in Leeds to improve transport and access to this thriving city centre. Projects like Temple Green create another step towards our aim of becoming a net zero carbon emissions economy by 2038 here in West Yorkshire.

“On the back of International Women’s Day, I was heartened to meet yet another woman bus driver. I was also keen to hear from a woman apprentice who’d been working on the construction of the site. Apprenticeships are fantastic opportunities for women and men across Leeds and there are several schemes and opportunities available for young people.”

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, said:

“I’m pleased to see this extension opening and was thrilled to have the children of Meadowfield Primary School take part in this official opening. Park and ride is a key part of our Connecting Leeds transport strategy for the city. It helps us achieve our aims of reducing congestion and improving local air quality, by improving public transport. Temple Green is one of three successful park and ride sites in Leeds which offer a popular alternative to travelling by car into the city centre.

“Inviting children to the site to learn about the impact of climate change and the climate emergency in their city will hopefully encourage them to influence the way they travel as they mature and their family members too. Now is the time more than ever for everyone to think about making more sustainable choices for their journeys.”

As part of the work to develop the Temple Green Park and Ride scheme, Leeds City Council have increased capacity at the Bellwood roundabout by providing an additional lane on the A63 outbound arm. Changes to the road layout provide for better access for buses into Gateway 45.

Paul Matthews, Managing Director of First West Yorkshire, said:

“We are seeing gradual growth in the use of the Park and Ride network around Leeds as more typical travel habits resume through the week. The expansion here is a welcome signal to encourage commuters to choose a more sustainable way to make the final leg of their journey into and out of the city and reduce congestion. This will support a green recovery for Leeds with people using public transport for work and leisure.”

Andy Crampton, Bam Nuttall said:

“It’s a privilege to lead BAM Nuttall’s team, and the collaboration with our supply chain partners, delivering more strategic infrastructure in support of Leeds City Council’s ambitions to make the region a better place to live and work. We’re additionally proud of our involvement in the Kickstart Scheme, and the opportunity to offer permanent employment with our company to a previously unemployed young local resident.”