Major works have commenced at Lawnswood roundabout in north Leeds, a bustling hub where the A6120 Outer Ring Road meets the A660 Otley Road, transforming it into a signalised crossroads with dedicated cycle and pedestrian crossings. This vital project, part of Leeds City Council’s Vision Zero ambition, aims to dramatically enhance safety and unlock sustainable transport options for the nearly 50,000 daily commuters, cyclists, and pedestrians navigating this critical junction.
What improvements are being made at Lawnswood roundabout in Leeds to enhance safety and accessibility?
Major works at Lawnswood roundabout in north Leeds include converting the junction to a signalised crossroads, adding segregated cycle lanes, new signalised pedestrian and cycle crossings, extending bus lanes, and reducing speed limits – all aimed at improving safety and promoting sustainable transport options.
Overview of the Lawnswood Roundabout Improvement Project
Construction has commenced on a significant road safety scheme at Lawnswood roundabout, one of the busiest junctions in north Leeds. The junction, where the A6120 Outer Ring Road meets the A660 Otley Road, sees nearly 50,000 vehicles pass through daily. The goal of this project, which began on August 11, is to address long-standing safety issues and modernize the transport infrastructure in line with the city’s Connecting Leeds strategy. The improvement works are expected to take around 12 months to complete, affecting all modes of transport including motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and public transport users.
The A660 corridor is particularly noteworthy for its heavy usage by cyclists, pedestrians, and bus passengers. Despite this, the current configuration of the roundabout lacks adequate crossing facilities, which has created significant barriers for those wishing to walk or cycle through the area, especially near Lawnswood School. Between 2020 and 2024, 25 injuries were recorded at the junction, six of which were classified as serious, highlighting the urgent need for action.
This scheme is a key component of Leeds City Council’s Vision Zero ambition, which aims to eliminate all road-related deaths and serious injuries by 2040. The Lawnswood roundabout project will not only enhance safety but also improve the overall environment for sustainable travel options, such as walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport.
Planned Improvements and Key Features
The project will introduce several major changes to the Lawnswood roundabout and its surrounding area, all of which are designed to support safer and more efficient travel. These improvements include:
- Conversion of the roundabout into a signalised junction, allowing for better management of traffic flow and safer crossings for non-motorised users.
- Signalised pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities, making it easier and safer to traverse the busy junction by foot or bicycle.
- Segregated cycle lanes on the approaches to the roundabout, providing a protected space for cyclists and encouraging more people to choose cycling as a mode of transport.
- A new signalised pedestrian crossing on A660 Otley Road, just north of Weetwood Road, further improving safety for school children and other pedestrians.
- A slight extension to the existing southbound bus lane on Otley Road, aimed at making bus journeys quicker and more reliable.
- New waiting and loading restrictions in the vicinity of the roundabout to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
Changes to the speed limits on the A6120 Ring Road are also part of the scheme. The new limits are:
- 40 mph between Lawnswood roundabout and Leeds University sports facilities access
- 50 mph between Leeds University sports facilities access and Tongue Lane
- 40 mph east of Tongue Lane
These adjustments are intended to reduce vehicle speeds at critical points, further enhancing safety for all road users.
Safety, Sustainability, and Transport Benefits
With the Lawnswood roundabout sitting adjacent to a major secondary school and busy commuter routes, safety is a primary concern for the project. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development, commented:
“Having a junction with poor safety record right next to a school is essential to fix, so I am delighted to see the works starting this month.
It’s vitally important we address the safety of drivers and all road users, all as part of our Vision Zero strategy to work towards eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries. The A660 corridor also has high volumes of cyclists, pedestrians and bus users, but the junction lacks proper crossing facilities and is a major barrier for walking and cycling, especially close to Lawnswood School.”
A key aspect of the scheme is its focus on encouraging a modal shift away from private car usage toward more sustainable options. The A660 corridor often experiences significant congestion, and improving facilities for walking, cycling, and bus travel is seen as vital for making the best use of limited road space. Making bus journeys more reliable and efficient by extending bus lanes and reconfiguring traffic flows aims to give commuters and residents more choices in how they travel.
Cllr Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, underlined the project’s broader transport and environmental goals:
“By improving crossings, reducing vehicle speeds, and introducing cycle lanes, we’re helping ensure Lawnswood junction is a place where everyone can travel easily and safely. It’s an important step towards a greener, more accessible, and better-connected region.”
The works are being scheduled to minimize disruption, with some activities planned during the school summer holidays when traffic volumes are lower. The council has communicated directly with residents and businesses about the anticipated impacts and timelines.
Funding, Partnerships, and Community Engagement
The Lawnswood roundabout improvement scheme is being funded primarily by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund Corridor Improvement Programme Phase 2. A smaller portion of the funding is being provided through Section 106 Developer Contributions, ensuring that the scheme does not draw on the Leeds City Council budget.
Partnership and collaboration are central to the successful delivery of the project. The council is working closely with its appointed construction partner, the Eric Wright Group. Gavin Hulme, Managing Director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, highlighted the collaborative approach:
“Eric Wright Civil Engineering are pleased to be delivering this scheme on behalf of Leeds City Council. Road safety works are one of our areas of expertise and we will endeavour to minimise disruption by working with local businesses and residents to minimise disruption. We have a dedicated site email address LawnswoodEnquiries@ericwright.co.uk to assist communication with stakeholders.”
Residents and stakeholders are being kept up-to-date with progress via direct communications and a dedicated project website, lawnswoodroundabout.commonplace.is. The website contains detailed information on the scheme, plans, and timelines, and provides a channel for feedback and inquiries from the public.
The Lawnswood roundabout scheme exemplifies the city’s ambition to improve safety, support sustainable modes of travel, and enhance the overall transport network for the benefit of all users. By addressing long-standing safety issues and investing in modern infrastructure, the project aims to deliver lasting improvements to one of Leeds’ most heavily used junctions.
- Major works have commenced at Lawnswood roundabout in north Leeds to transform it into a signalised crossroads with dedicated cycle and pedestrian crossings.
- The project is part of Leeds City Council’s Vision Zero ambition, aiming to eliminate road-related deaths and serious injuries by 2040 and enhance safety for nearly 50,000 daily users.
- Improvements include converting the roundabout to a signalised junction, adding segregated cycle lanes, new signalised pedestrian and cycle crossings, and extending bus lanes.
- The A660 corridor is particularly used by cyclists, pedestrians, and bus passengers, but the current roundabout configuration lacks adequate crossing facilities, leading to 25 injuries between 2020 and 2024.
- The scheme is funded primarily by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund Corridor Improvement Programme Phase 2.