Road wars erupts as Leeds hits back at 'economic suicide' claim
Council hits back at roadworks critics
Leeds City Council has hit back at claims its traffic changes are driving shoppers away, insisting the city centre is bucking the national high-street slump.
The council has defended its pedestrian-friendly transport policies following claims of roadworks driving shoppers away from the city.
A Bradford councillor recently claimed Leeds was at risk of “economic suicide” if more changes to city centre road layouts went ahead.
Conservative Ralph Cohn, who represents Airedale, told a West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) meeting people from his area were already choosing to shop in Skipton, Ilkley and Harrogate.
He said: “Leeds is a critically important city. In my opinion it has done a hell of a lot of damage to itself in terms of transport changes.”
Now Leeds City Council has pointed out that city centre footfall is up by 0.7 per cent on last year and more than 50,000 people visit Briggate on Saturdays.
Labour’s Tom Hinchcliffe, executive member for transport and planning, said: “This is a positive picture against a challenging national backdrop.
“Across the UK, footfall is currently down by an average of 1.8 per cent across high streets, shopping centres and retail parks.”
Coun Cohn was speaking in a debate on the £6m Westgate Connector scheme, set to provide cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings and signalised junctions.
Some £5.8m of the funding will be provided by WYCA following a decision at the January 3 meeting.
A report to the meeting said that part of the city centre was dominated by students, and 62 per cent of households in the area did not have a car.
Coun Hinchcliffe, who represents Bramley and Stanningley, said: “We’re always looking at how we can improve the city centre for residents, commuters, visitors and businesses.
“The ongoing infrastructure changes are absolutely vital to ensuring our city’s continued growth and success.”
The council said better quality public spaces would be created and people would find it safer to cycle and use public transport.
Coun Hinchcliffe said: “This will help create a city centre that is more welcoming and accessible, encouraging people to spend more time in the city, supporting the local economy and helping Leeds to remain a vibrant and successful city centre for years to come.”