Leeds Carnival: 50 years of celebrations
We're being advised to plan our journeys with road closures in place.
Last updated 25th Aug 2017
Leeds West Indian Carnival's celebrating its 50th year, and it's set to be the biggest one yet.
A number of events have taken place around Leeds in the run-up to the parade, which kicks off on August Bank Holiday Monday.
The event promises to be more colourful than ever, with a dazzling array of costumes on display, and spectators encouraged to take to the streets and dance.
History
The Leeds West Indian Carnival has humble beginnings, and started in 1967 when founder Arthur France invited the then West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable to his flat to discuss plans for the first ever parade. Just a few thousand people attended.
By the 1980s the carnival grew immensely in popularity, and in 1982 the route went through the city centre for the first time, and 1983 the route we know now was first taken.
By 2016, the event saw record crowds flocking to it, with 160,000 people packing out Chapletown.
Route
This year's procession starts and finishes in Potternewton Park and will do a route around Chapletown.
People in the area are being advised to plan their journey in and out of the city ahead of time, as a number of roads will be closed between 5pm Sunday (27th August) until 7:30am on Tuesday (29th August).
Chapeltown Road, Harehills Avenue and Avenue Hill will all be affected.
SCHEDULE 1 - Monday 28/8/17 05.00hrs to Tuesday 29/8/17 05.30hrs
Roads to be closed to secure safe space for participants and spectators before, during and after the carnival procession:
- Chapeltown Road
From Barrack Road to Newton Road
- Harehills Avenue
From Chapeltown Road to Avenue Hill
- Avenue Hill
The Whole
SCHEDULE 2 - Sunday 27/8/17 17.00hrs to Tuesday 29/8/17 07.30hrs
Lengths of roads to be closed to secure safe space for participants and spectators before, during and after the carnival procession:
- Saville Drive
Chapeltown Road to Mexborough Road
- Saville Road
Chapeltown Road to Mexborough Road
- Saville Place
Chapeltown Road to Mexborough Road
- Mexborough Drive
Chapeltown Road to Mexborough Road
- Mexborough Street
Chapeltown Road to Mexborough Road
- Mexborough Avenue
Chapeltown Road to Mexborough Road
- Mexborough Grove
Chapeltown Road to Mexborough Road
- Button Hill
Chapeltown Road west for 30m
- Reginald Terrace
Chapeltown Road west for 50m
- Reginald Street
Chapeltown Road west for 30m
- Newton Park View
The whole
- Louis Street
Chapeltown Road to Cross Louis Street
- Francis Street
Chapeltown Road to Cross Francis Street
- Cowper Street
Chapeltown Road to Back Grange Terrace
- Grange Avenue
Chapeltown Road to Back Grange Avenue
- Nassau Place
Harehills Avenue to Back Harehills Avenue
- Spencer Place
Harehills Avenue to Back Pasture Road
- Shepherd’s Place
Harehills Avenue to Back Pasture Road
- Ellers Road
Harehills Avenue to Back Pasture Road
- Beck Road
Harehills Avenue to Baldovan Mount
SCHEDULE 3 - Monday 28/8/17 from 05.00hrs to 09.00hrs
Roads to be closed to facilitate the J’Ouvert Parade:
- Laycock Place
The whole
- Saville Mount
Laycock Place to Chapeltown Road
- Spencer Place
Harehills Avenue to Louis Street
- Louis Street
The whole
SCHEDULE 4 - Monday 28/8/17 from 10.00hrs to 22.00hrs
Roads to be closed to facilitate the Carnival Parade:
- Harehills Avenue
Avenue Hill to Harehills Lane
- Harehills Lane
Harehills Avenue to Roundhay Road
- Roundhay Road
Easterly Road to Barrack Road
- Barrack Road
The whole
SCHEDULE 5 - Prohibition of waiting except authorised vehicles being used in connection with the event on Monday 28/8/17:
- Chapeltown Road
Barrack Road to Harehills Avenue. Both sides.
- Harehills Avenue
The whole. Both sides.
- Harehills Lane
Harehills Avenue to Roundhay Road
- Avenue Hill
The whole. Both sides.
- Spencer Place
The whole. Both sides.
- Leopold Street
Spencer Place to Cross Louis Street (except the bays outside 26-32 and 38-44). Both Sides.
- Nassau Place
Leopold Street to Louis Street. Both sides.
- Louis Street
Spencer Place to Cross Louis Street. Both sides.
- Cross Louis Street
The whole. Both sides.
- Laycock Place
The whole. Both sides.
- Saville Mount
Laycock Place to Chapeltown Road. Both sides.
- Nice Avenue
The whole. Both sides.
- Rossall Grove
The whole. Both sides.
- Rossall Road