Consultation opens on Leeds-Bradford 'super cycleway'

A public consultation has been launched into the proposed ‘super cycleway’ between Leeds and Bradford, the centrepiece of the £30 million City Connect project to improve facilities for cyclists in West Yorkshire.

The consultation on the route, much of which will be segregated, gives local residents an opportunity to provide feedback on specific details of the scheme, such as junction layouts, reports the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The first sections open for consultation run from Thornbury to Dawson’s Corner and from Dawson’s Corner to Stanningley Centre, with the final date for submissions being February 28.

Details of consultation dates for other sections can be found on the CityConnect website under ‘Have your say’, and the website will shortly also have an interactive map of the project, as well as details of events for locals to find out more about it and consult plans.

Feedback can be given by email to cityconnect [at] wypte.gov.uk or via CityConnect’s Twitter feed or Facebook page.

Last month, a separate consultation closed on the subject of improvements to the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which also form part of the City Connect project.

Ginny Leonard of City Connect said: “The public consultation is really important as it’s a chance for local businesses and residents to have their say and help the plans.

“The improvements to the cycling and walking routes from east Leeds to Bradford city centre will benefit everyone and we want as many people to get involved as possible.”

Last August, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that Leeds and West Yorkshire were among the winners of the government’s Cycle City Ambition grants, securing £18.1 million, with an additional £11.2 million coming from local sources.

The summary of the successful bid read:

Building on Yorkshire’s hosting the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in 2014, a package of cycle infrastructure improvements is proposed. A new segregated Super Highway from east Leeds to Bradford City Centre will be delivered with new connections in Leeds City Centre to provide continuity to other radial routes.

In addition, new secure cycle parking facilities are included and the Leeds Liverpool Canal Tow Path will be upgraded. At 14 miles this will be the longest continuous cycleway in the north of England, connecting key employment and regeneration sites in both cities. The ambition in West Yorkshire is to triple current cycling levels and increase cycling to account for 12% of all journeys in the target areas.