People invited to take part in East Leeds Orbital Route tree-planting days

1 March 2019

Thousands of trees are being planted as the first phase of East Leeds Orbital Route.

Because improvement work carried out on Outer Ring Road junctions has meant removing some trees, we are using the current peak springtime planting period to plant over 4,000 new trees. This will create a new, wet woodland that will enhance the area at the Roundhay Park Lane junction.

Two community tree planting days are taking place, on Wednesday 13 and Saturday 16 March and volunteers can sign up online to take part on both days.

Sign up for:

Wednesday 13 March 2019
Saturday 16 March 2019

The East Leeds Orbital Route is being supported by almost £83 million from the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund. The Fund is supported through the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of Government investment delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive member for transport, said:"East Leeds Orbital Route is providing significant future benefits for people in Leeds, not just through better travel, but also improved environment. This new woodland will provide a range of ecological and environmental benefits, including management of rainwater run-off, more habitats for wildlife to thrive and helping management of vehicle emissions.

"We are delighted to have two community tree planting days,which we'd like volunteers to come along to and join us as we create a lasting environmentally friendly area."

At the start of work on the scheme Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: "The East Leeds Orbital Route is an excellent example of the significant support the Combined Authority is providing to key City Region infrastructure projects through our West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund."

"We have already approved over £145.23 million of investment through the Transport Fund on schemes designed to support inclusive growth, job creation and the construction of new homes."