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'Roadworks rip your business apart - through no fault of your own'

Nathan TurveyYorkshire
The roadworks causing safety and economic worries for people in Leeds

For people who use one of the busiest roads in and out of Leeds ongoing roadworks have become part of everyday life.

The final phase of a £10.4m scheme on the A660 between Hyde Park Corner and Spenceley Street has now begun - but will not be finished until spring 2027.

The plans aim to reduce road deaths and serious injuries on the busy corridor and improve bus reliability, according to Leeds City Council.

Kieran Madden, who runs a cafe at Hyde Park Corner, said the roadworks had impacted his business.

"We're in our first year of trading and hospitality are already in a very tricky situation as it is at present - so having the path outside of your business basically null and void - and people walking on the other side of the road for the diversion for safety, completely diverts your business," he said.

"It rips your business takings apart - through no fault of your own," Madden added.

"It's the most badly thought-out roadworks I could ever imagine."

BBC/NATHAN TURVEY A picture of the roadworks near Hyde Park Corner in Leeds, there is a digger in the middle of the road with a workman sitting on it, there are cones on the road, with cars and buses and trees in the background. BBC/NATHAN TURVEY
The final phase of the £10.4m scheme won't be completed until spring 2027

Madden is also concerned about safety for people, particular pupils from a nearby school, trying to cross the road in the middle of the works.

That is a worry echoed by Chinmay Kelkar, who works at Leeds City Academy.

"The students, now that they come here and cross the road, it's better for the roads for sure - for now it's a lot on inconvenience with the buses and students crossing the road and not being fully safe," she said.

BBC/NATHAN TURVEY Tim Linley, who has a grey and brown beard and is wearing a read t-shirt, standing in his coffee shop. There are coffee tins on a shelf behind him and a fridge.BBC/NATHAN TURVEY
Tim Linley, who runs a coffee shop near Hyde Park Corner, says he has seen a 10% drop in footfall since the roadworks began

Tim Linley is founder of Coffee on The Crescent near Hyde Park Corner.

He said he had seen a drop in footfall since the roadworks began in the area.

"The first stage started at about this time last year and it did cause a loss of trade in terms of footfall.

"It was down about five -10%, which, when you have full-time salaried staff, is a very difficult loss."

Linley did add they had seen some benefits since the first stage, now that people could cross the road by his shop.

However, he added: "I've no control of what the council deem is the right thing for everybody.

"I accept it for what it is and try and deal with whatever the repercussions are."

The council said the A660 was a busy route with pedestrians and cyclists and "injury collisions involving these groups were high", with "improved infrastructure needed".

Funded by Active Travel England, the authority said the highways changes would bring the route up to the Department for Transport's latest design guidance to create high-quality, safe infrastructure for people who walk, wheel and cycle.

As part of the final phase of works there will be changes to some surrounding roads and junctions too, including Cliff Road - which will become one-way to motor vehicles.

Narrow pavements will also be widened and a new segregated cycle lane will be created on either side of Woodhouse Lane, by removing the central reservation on the road.

The council said construction work had been carried out in phases to reduce the impact on bus services and traffic flows along the route - and in order to secure necessary approvals and funding for the works.

"Once complete, the scheme will provide two additional signalised pedestrian crossings on the A660 Woodhouse Lane near the junctions of Rampart Road and Cliff Road," a spokesperson for the authority added.

It said the route was consulted on with the public in 2023, with 63% of respondents backing the proposals.

BBC/NATHAN TURVEY A picture of local resident Amy Young who has ginger hair, is wearing a white top and is smiling - there are shops and a road in the background.BBC/NATHAN TURVEY
Resident Amy Young says she believes it is a case of short-term pain for long-term gain

Local resident Amy Young recognised the issues for local businesses. She said: "When it's done - all good, it's not been too disruptive for us at the moment and actually what they've done with the crossing is really good, so I think short term pain - long term gain."

Councillor Peter Carlill, from Leeds City Council, said he hoped the improvements "help to encourage even more people to choose active and sustainable methods of travel".

He said engineers and contractors often worked during the night, when there was less traffic.

"I would like to thank local businesses and residents for being patient whilst these works are happening," he added.

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