Phase one focusses on specific geographic areas in the district: with cycling routes identified in north east Leeds and walking improvements in Harehills.
The proposals in the plan have been developed through a process of stakeholder engagement through workshops and street audits, data analysis, and technical assessments of potential improvements. Further stakeholder engagement was undertaken in winter 2019 to get feedback on the plans and the proposed improvements. The phase one Leeds LCWIP forms part of the evidence being used to develop a Connectivity Infrastructure Plan for the region which sets out a long-term transport infrastructure investment programme for the next 20 years. As the LCWIPs are developed further, they will continue to inform this Connectivity Infrastructure Plan and the future investment programme. The proposals identified in phase one have been identified through a high level assessment and ahead of any confirmed funding being available to implement them. More detailed feasibility work will be required to develop them into a scheme for delivery when future funding is identified.
A more detailed phase one Leeds LCWIP report is available, that sets out the underlying analysis carried out to identify the improvements proposed as well as high level network concepts for cycling and walking in the geographic areas of focus.
A range of cycle routes for north east Leeds were identified and prioritised as a result of data analysis and stakeholder feedback. Two routes which could form the base of a future network were assessed in more detail to establish how we could create high-quality cycle provision on these corridors. By high-quality cycle provision we mean routes that make cycling safer and more pleasant, and routes that are suitable for a range of users including schoolchildren and the elderly as well as all types of cycle, including adaptive and cargo bikes. The process of route prioritisation is described in the detailed phase one report for the Leeds LCWIP.
For each of the two routes assessed, two potential options were identified. Further work will need to be carried out to ensure that the outline design shown below can be achieved to the requisite standard. Further links which will connect these routes to other communities to widen access and link to other parts of the district will be considered during future stages of LCWIP development.
We will also consider complementary measures such as waiting/loading restrictions and improved landscaping, lighting and public realm. In order to make accessing the cycle routes safer we may need to consider re-routing or limiting through traffic on certain roads to create safer streets, which will provide further benefits for local communities such as better air quality and reduced noise pollution.
We will also look at programmes to support the proposed improvements, including providing access to bikes or enabling behaviour change. These complementary measures would be defined as and when we take schemes further forward, including at further stages of the LCWIP process.
These pedestrian improvements for Harehills, focussing on the local shopping area, have been identified through a community street audit which allowed local stakeholders to provide feedback on the local walking environment, with a follow up workshop. Further detailed feasibility and design work will need to be carried out at a later stage, informed by this initial assessment. Future walking improvement assessments will need to be made for other areas of Harehills.
The proposed walking infrastructure could also be accompanied by a range of complementary measures to be defined in further stages of LCWIP development. Complementary measures could include new waiting/loading restrictions; improved enforcement of existing waiting/loading restrictions; behaviour change programmes; restrictions to general traffic; improved landscaping and lighting and accessible seating.
The detailed report available here includes further details of the proposed improvements, the approach taken to identify the pedestrian improvements for Harehills, as well as an indicative walking Network Map for the town, showing the main routes for walking, and other important pedestrian routes. The principles for good walking infrastructure used to help identify the improvements needed are also included in the report.
