This is when Leeds city centre street will become one-way as work starts on £13m revamp

From Monday, January 5 a one-way system will be installed on Great George Street, between Oxford Place and Park Street (Leeds General Infirmary), as construction begins on the transformative £12.76million Leeds City Links scheme, designed to enhance connectivity, accessibility, and sustainability across southern and northern sections of Leeds city centre.

The flagship project funded by the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), partnered with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and delivered by Eric Wright Group Ltd, will aim to upgrade key walking and cycling routes in the city.

Due to complete in early 2027, the scheme is designed to complement wider city centre initiatives such as the Woodhouse Lane Gateway scheme, due to start in spring 2026, plus the ongoing works along A660 and Lawnswood roundabout.

The northern corridor of the scheme includes:

• Great George Street from Leighton Street to Woodhouse Lane.
• Great George Street/Merrion Street/Woodhouse Lane junction.
• Merrion Street from Woodhouse Lane to New Briggate.

Work here includes:

• Significantly widening the pavements, which will give pedestrians more space and create opportunities for businesses to have outdoor cafes.
• Providing a segregated cycle two-way cycle track along the whole length of the corridor, with links to existing cycle provision, ensuring a safe, separate space for people to cycle.
• Selective reduction of on-street parking to accommodate wider pavements and the cycle track.
• New or enhanced pedestrian crossings, which will be located on better desire lines, and will be straight-across crossings.
• Separated cycle crossings at junctions.
• Major enhancements to the Great George Street/Woodhouse Lane junction, which will create a nicer environment and easier places to cross.
• New trees and greenery throughout.

The southern corridor of the scheme includes:

• Kirkgate, Wharf Street, and High Court from Leeds Minster to Shears Yard.
• The Calls, Call Lane, Swinegate, Concordia Street and Sovereign Street from Shears Yard to Sovereign Street junction.

Work here includes:

• Widening the pavements, giving pedestrians more space.
• Providing a segregated two-way cycle track along the whole length of the corridor, ensuring a safe, separate space for people to cycle.
• New or enhanced pedestrian crossings.
• Permanent reduction in number of road lanes from two lanes to one, making space for safer pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

Traffic management on Great George Street between Leighton Street and Calverley Street

A one-way system will be installed on Great George Street between Oxford Place and Park Street (Leeds General Infirmary). Traffic will be able to travel west along this short stretch of road during the works. Two-way traffic to Oxford Row will be maintained during this period. The short section of Great George Street between Leighton Street and Park Street will remain open to two-way traffic but traffic signals will be installed.

To deliver the works at Calverley junction safely and efficiently, contractors will have to narrow the top of Oxford Place and Great George Street (behind Leeds Town Hall) to one lane running east across the junction with Calverley Street.

Access to all shops along Great George Street will remain in place throughout the works, and access into Leeds General Infirmary will remain unchanged, however vehicles leaving Thoresby Place will not be able to turn right onto Great George Street. Instead, vehicles will be able to leave the area using Park Street. Please see below.

Upcoming road closure at Great George Street/Merrion Street/Woodhouse Lane junction

A temporary road closure will be implemented on Great George Street, between Dudley Way and Woodhouse Lane, from January 26 for 11 weeks, enabling accelerated delivery and significant cost savings for the council.