Plans to fix raised joints on Stanningley Bypass in Leeds brought forward after 'further deterioration'

Plans to temporarily fix raised joints on the Stanningley Bypass have been brought forward.

The “speed bump” type ramps, caused by raised joints and imperfections in the roads surface on the Stanningley Bypass, has been a repeated cause of concern for motorists travelling along the major route between Bradford and Leeds.

Highways Engineers at Leeds City Council have worked to provide a permanent fix to the remaining joint failures, in recent years, and there are currently two carriageway joints between near Hough End that are raised.

Now a spokesperson for the local authority has confirmed that temporary flattening of the joints set to be carried out this month after “further deterioration” to their condition was identified during a recent inspection.

“Work to flatten, as much as possible, two ‘raised’ carriageway joints on Stanningley Bypass near Hough End is due to be carried out later this month,” the spokesperson said. “We have been carefully monitoring the condition of the Hough End joints, which we recognise have become a cause for local concern.

“The decision to carry out this month’s work was taken after a further deterioration in their condition - likely to have been caused by the summer’s prolonged high temperatures - was identified during one of our inspections.”

These repairs will take place during this month’s previously announced overnight closure, near Swinnow Lane, on Monday, August 24 (8pm–5am) and Tuesday, August 25 (8pm–5am).

Road repairs and resurfacing are being carried out on the Stanningley Bypass throughout this month as part of the £44.1m Dawsons Corner improvement scheme.

The announcement comes just days after Conservative Councillor for Pudsey Simon Seary accused City Council of failing to focus on the worst sections of the Stanningley Bypass, instead prioritising resurfacing on sections that “could have waited.”

Councillor Seary, who has repeatedly raised concerns about the worsening condition of the raised joints, has welcomed news of the much-needed, albeit temporary repairs.

“I first raised concerns about this section last September and have continued to push for action as the condition has worsened,” he said on Facebook.

“While I am disappointed the permanent repairs will not take place sooner, I am pleased that some interim action will finally be taken on the two worst joints later this month. I will continue to push for the permanent works to be delivered as soon as possible.”

The permanent replacement of the Hough End joints, and others on the Swinnow Road bridge to Henconner Lane bridge section of Stanningley Bypass, is scheduled for 2027.

Further updates on the proposed timings for this replacement work will be provided in due course.

The ongoing works have been scheduled during the school summer holidays, when traffic levels are typically lower. A 30mph speed limit will be in place throughout.