This is what Leeds city centre could look like once works to pedestrianise City Square are complete.
Works are currently underway in City Square to divert cars and general traffic permanently away from the area.
There are also works at the railway station that “will help deliver a pedestrian-priority environment.”
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A spokesperson for the authority said that the move to pedestrianise the area would help reduce emissions and improve air quality in the city centre.
Neville Street was previously found to be one of the most polluted streets outside London. Pollution levels in Neville Street were 88 ug/m3 in 2019 but this has since increased to 99.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “Removing general traffic from City Square to create a more pleasant environment has been a long time in the making, and follows careful consultation and years of planning.
“The combined effect of this scheme and the ongoing works at the station will help deliver a pedestrian-priority environment that welcomes people into our city, is much safer and cleaner, makes it easier to cycle from one end of the city to another, and also encourages more use of public transport because we are helping to improve bus journey times.
“We appreciate the works will lead to some short-term disruption and we recognise that it takes time to adjust to such a major change. We thank businesses, residents and bus operators for their patience, and we look forward to the long-term benefits once the scheme is completed.”
The main highways works, except the area immediately adjacent to the Queens Hotel, in City Square will be completed ahead of Leeds 2023’s take over of the square as a central part of the city’s Year of Culture.
Motorists have been advised to plan ahead when travelling into the city centre to avoid becoming caught in congestion as a result of the works and the general increase in traffic in the run-up to the festive season.
The council is urging people to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time, and to consider alternative methods of transport.
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