Thousands of motorists use the Leeds Inner Ring Road everyday to get across the city. Yet few will be aware of the untold story of how the project was hindered by delays, controversy and everything in between. It was devised in the 1950s, started in 1964 and yet only completed in the 2000s. These photos, plucked from the YEP archive, aim to bring that story to life. READ MORE: The A to Z of Leeds documentary trailer LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
19. August 1974
There was a slight blip when it was realised someone had forgotten to remove the red and white bunting from across the road and Mr Muddiman had a short wait in his Toyota van while the flags were taken down. | jpimedia
20. Leeds inner ring road
Danger spot? Traffic emerging from West Street comes blindly onto the inner ring road. Pictured in July 1975. | YPN Photo: YPN
21. Leeds inner ring road
The western end starting from the bottom left near the old railway roundhouse, crossing the canal and the River Aire to the centre of this photo where the Wellington Street and Kirkstall flyover is nearing completion. | Peter Thacker Photo: Peter Thacker
22. Leeds inner ring road
Stage four in the Great Wilson Street and Meadow Lane area and stage five, which included a westbound flyover at the Woodpecker junction linking York Road with the Inner Ring Road, waited until the late 1980s and early 1990s. | YPN Photo: YPN
23. Leeds inner ring road
Councillor John Trickett at the cutting of the first sod for the new extension of the Leeds Inner Ring Rosd at the Woodpecker junction in April 1990. | YPN Photo: YPN
24. Leeds inner ring road
Stage seven continued the road's tradition for excellence as it features the 500-yard John Smeaton Viaduct made up of steel beams weighing over 2,200 tons in total. Pictured in September 2008. | Matthew Page Photo: Matthew Page