Have you say on Rothwell & Robin Hood walking and cycling improvements
Plans include a full refurbishment of the Rothwell Greenway.
11 February 2020
Consultation on walking and cycling improvements scheme launches for Rothwell and Robin Hood in Leeds is underway.
People have until Monday 10 March to comment on the plans for better walking and cycling in the Rothwell, Robin Hood, East Ardsley, Thorpe on the Hill, Lofthouse and east Middleton areas.
Year-round use
Included in the plans is a full refurbishment of the existing Rothwell Greenway that links the communities of Lofthouse, Robin Hood and Rothwell, as well as local communities and schools. The project aims to bring this community asset back to year-round use for walkers and cyclists, enabling it to fulfil its potential for sustainable travel and leisure and recreation use.
As a result of the project, the Greenway will be made a suitable width for walking and cycling and will be re-surfaced and re-graded where needed. Where the route of the Greenway crosses roads and residential areas, suitable crossing points and speed management will also be provided. Extension of the Greenway to the north will provide better links via Bullough Lane to the Trans-Pennine Trail, Rothwell Country Park and to the Skelton Lake area. The enhanced route will be well promoted to local communities to encourage more active and sustainable means of travelling.
Cycling Starts Here
The desire to improve the links between communities in this part of south Leeds is recognised in Leeds’ cycling ambition as part of Leeds City Council’s Cycling Starts Here Strategy, which is part of the Connecting Leeds programme.
As well as the proposed improvements to Rothwell Greenway there are also plans to improve key walking and cycling paths throughout Robin Hood, East Ardsley, Thorpe on the Hill and the eastern part of Middleton.
Safe crossing points
These proposals include providing a continuous route from Long Thorpe Lane (Rodillian School) to Haigh Road in Rothwell with a hard-wearing all-year weatherproof surface, safe crossing points and traffic management measures and update of barriers to deter motorcycle use and re-graded ramped access and new signposting.
The Greenway will be extended to improve links over the A639 Leeds Road and beyond towards the Skelton Lake development, the city centre, Temple Newsam and Garforth, as well as to in Robin Hood, East Ardsley, Thorpe on the Hill, and east Middleton.
Find out more about the proposals and have you say.
Additionally, there will be three drop-in sessions where people can see the plans, ask any questions and provide feedback. These will take place at Rothwell Community Hub on Monday 24 February between 10am and 1pm and at the Halfway House in Robin Hood on Tuesday 25 February between 3.30-6pm. A third drop-in session with be held at East Ardsley Community Centre between 10am and 1pm on Tuesday 3 March.
Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: “These are ambitious and extensive plans that will mean safe, segregated infrastructure which people in these south Leeds communities can use to make sustainable journeys by bike or on foot.
“Making active travel an attractive option in this way is an important factor in achieving our ambition of tackling climate change and supporting people’s physical and mental health and I would urge people to go online or go along to the drop-in session to have their say.”
Cllr Lisa Mulherin, Executive board member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, said: “I welcome the planned introduction of safe off-road cycling routes serving Robin Hood, Lofthouse, Thorpe and East Ardsley all of which currently have no dedicated cycling provision whatsoever. These new routes will enable local residents and school pupils to make sustainable choices to walk or cycle to school, to work, to shopping and leisure facilities in Middleton and Rothwell or simply enjoy a walk or cycle off road for leisure.
“These Improvements play a major part in our long-term Connecting Leeds Cycling Starts Here ambition in providing safe routes right across the city. In helping to tackle our climate emergency, we need many more people to make the switch to cycling and walking, to get the many benefits it offers. I look forward to people having their say and hearing what they think about these proposals.”
Connecting Leeds is Leeds City Council’s long-term transport strategy for Leeds, which aims to improve all aspects of transport and travel in the city and connect people to the wider Leeds City Region. Connecting Leeds will see unprecedented £270 million invested in the city’s transport network.