Leeds celebrates the dazzling completion of the Horsforth to Pudsey (A6120) highways improvement scheme, a £23 million marvel creating safer, segregated routes for walkers and cyclists from Horsforth roundabout to Dawsons Corner. This vibrant transformation, part of the Connecting West Leeds programme, ushers in a new era of connectivity and sustainability for the communities of Farsley and Calverley, with an accessible footbridge set to begin construction early next year.
What are the key benefits of the Horsforth to Pudsey (A6120) highways improvement scheme?
The Horsforth to Pudsey (A6120) highways improvement scheme delivers safer, segregated footways and cycleways, new speed restrictions, upgraded junctions, and future accessible footbridge. These improvements enhance road safety, reduce congestion, increase walking and cycling, lower emissions, and boost community connectivity in Leeds.
Transforming the A6120 Corridor: Infrastructure Improvements and Vision
The A6120 Leeds Outer Ring Road has recently undergone substantial improvements between Horsforth and Pudsey, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s ongoing commitment to developing modern, accessible transport infrastructure. This ambitious project, which forms part of the broader Connecting West Leeds programme, was designed to make the corridor safer and more inviting for walking, wheeling, and cycling. The improvements encompass a new set of 50mph speed restrictions, advanced junction redesigns, and the segregation of pedestrians and cyclists from vehicular traffic. These enhancements serve as a response to Leeds City Council’s goal to create a city where car use is not a necessity, and everyone has access to affordable, zero-carbon travel options.
Among the planned upgrades, the construction of an accessible footbridge over the A6120 at Farsley near Calverley Lane is set to begin early next year. This footbridge, expected to take around 12 months to complete, will provide a vital link between the Calverley and Farsley communities. The project demonstrates a proactive approach to connecting neighborhoods, improving local access, and addressing the city’s Vision Zero ambition – aiming for zero road deaths by 2040. With a total investment exceeding £23 million and backed by £20 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, these infrastructure works represent a significant step forward for the region.
The comprehensive upgrades completed so far include new and improved footways and cycleways, linking the Horsforth roundabout to Dawsons Corner. They connect directly to previously enhanced cycling facilities at Fink Hill, which were finished in winter 2023. These enhancements are crucial not only for active travel but also for reducing congestion, improving bus journey times (particularly on the New Road Side, A65), and supporting environmental goals by lowering emissions and improving local air quality.
Official Launch and Features of the Upgraded Route
To celebrate the completion of this key phase, representatives from Leeds City Council, the Department for Transport, construction partners, and the project team participated in an official cycle ride using Leeds City Bikes. The ride, which travelled along the newly improved stretch from Horsforth to the Calverley Lane junction, underscored the city’s dedication to sustainable travel. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, commented, “I am delighted to ride on a Leeds City Bike along the new stretches of improved footways and cycleways, connecting Horsforth roundabout and Dawsons Corner. It’s an aspiration for the Leeds City Bike scheme to expand to include more areas of West Leeds, but in the meantime I hope more people will use the segregated cycle paths, that make the route much safer and more accessible for active travel.”
The project’s design includes extending the merge lane at Horsforth roundabout, aimed at preventing traffic queues that can block the junction. This change is expected to ease congestion, shorten journey times for bus passengers, and enhance the efficiency of the road network. Further safety measures have been introduced, such as restricting right turns out of the Calverley Bridge and Calverley Lane junctions, alongside the implementation of new average speed cameras to enforce the reduced 50mph limit from Horsforth roundabout to Stanningley Bypass at Henconner Lane Bridge.
Additionally, extensive landscaping and planting works are set to improve the visual appeal of the corridor and offer environmental benefits. The investment in segregated cycling and walking facilities is a direct response to community feedback and aligns with national guidance on designing inclusive, accessible active travel routes. According to the city council, these measures are expected to:
- Improve road safety in line with Vision Zero
- Increase walking and cycling levels, especially for short journeys
- Enhance access to jobs, education, healthcare, and leisure
- Lower emissions and improve local air and noise quality
- Improve access to greenspace and promote healthier lifestyles
Impact on Communities and Future Connectivity
The Horsforth to Pudsey highways improvement scheme is already making tangible differences for local residents and businesses. By prioritizing safer and more convenient travel options, the project aims to foster greater community cohesion and encourage the adoption of active, sustainable modes of transport. The soon-to-be-constructed footbridge over the A6120 at Farsley will facilitate direct, accessible links between Calverley and Farsley, reinforcing the city’s broader active travel network.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor emphasized the scheme’s wider significance: “As works have started in earnest at Dawsons Corner, once complete it will make shorter journeys by bike, walking or wheeling much better between Horsforth and Pudsey. The new accessible footbridge over the A6120 Ring Road Farsley near Calverley Lane when constructed next year, will provide vital new connections between Calverley and Farsley.” Such infrastructure upgrades are intended to remove barriers to mobility and target the needs of those who may have previously found travel difficult due to a lack of safe, direct routes.
The project also supports broader economic and social goals by improving access to employment, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and leisure venues. As outlined in the Connecting Leeds transport strategy, the intention is to build a city where sustainable travel is not only feasible but preferable. This push for inclusive, connected communities is a cornerstone of Leeds’ development vision and closely linked to the government’s Levelling Up agenda to address regional disparities.
Broader Implications for Transport and Urban Planning
The completion of the A6120 improvement works is a significant chapter in the ongoing evolution of Leeds’ transport landscape. It aligns with national and regional policies that prioritize the integration of cycling and walking into everyday travel, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The comprehensive approach taken – encompassing network redesigns, speed management, and the introduction of modern cycle infrastructure – serves as a model for other urban areas embarking on similar initiatives.
Ongoing efforts by the Connecting Leeds team to deliver improvements citywide demonstrate a deep commitment to continuous enhancement. While the recent works have delivered numerous benefits, the council acknowledges that further upgrades and developments are still required. The city’s transport planners are working diligently to progress these projects as swiftly as possible, while striving to minimize disruption for residents and commuters alike.
Key takeaways from the current phase of works include a reduction in journey times for both private and public transport users, improved safety for all road users, and enhanced opportunities for active travel. As these initiatives continue, they are expected to yield lasting benefits for public health, environmental sustainability, and regional prosperity.
- The Horsforth to Pudsey (A6120) highways improvement scheme is a £23 million project creating safer, segregated routes for walkers and cyclists.
- The scheme is part of the Connecting West Leeds programme and includes new speed restrictions, upgraded junctions, and an accessible footbridge.
- The project aims to enhance road safety, reduce congestion, increase walking and cycling, lower emissions, and boost community connectivity.
- The improvements connect directly to previously enhanced cycling facilities at Fink Hill, completed in winter 2023.
- An official cycle ride using Leeds City Bikes celebrated the completion of this key phase from Horsforth to the Calverley Lane junction.