Leeds parents hope new road changes will help cut casualties

Research found two thirds of casualties on some streets involve pedestrians or cyclists.

Now new measures are being introduced to help reduce this figure, including raised footpaths, new one way entrances to streets and reduced speed limits in bids to slow and better manage traffic.

Parents in Leeds have told Radio Aire they welcome the changes, after seeing some near-hits when picking up their kids from school.

Here's where the changes are happening, and why:

A65 Kirkstall Road

The A65 is well known as a busy route from the north west of the city to Leeds City Centre. As it passes through Kirkstall, the road has adjoining terraced streets which link it to Burley Road and other local facilities such as shops and schools. It makes it a busy area, meaning the terraced streets can be a tempting shortcut for drivers trying to avoid slow moving traffic in ‘rush hour’ and rat running is an issue.

2/3 of all casualties on Kirkstall Road are either pedestrians or cyclists.

A segregated cycle track will now be installed between Woodside View and Cardigan Lane.

Traffic will be slowed at the junctions of minor side roads by the provision of a continuous raised footway / cycle way. This will improve priority and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Harehills Road

Harehills Road is situated on an extremely busy local high street. Over one third of the collisions on this stretch of road involve pedestrians and about half involve a vehicle emerging from a side street.

Because of the casualty history, the Council will create a central reservation along Harehills Road with four new zebra crossings and six informal crossing points.

The Informal crossing points will have dropped kerbs, tactile paving and build outs to make it easier for those wanting to cross in front of any parked cars.

The central reservation will ensure that vehicles exiting the residential streets can only turn left and will help prevent these routes being used as a rat-run even where they remain open to two way traffic.

It's hoped preventing vehicles from cutting across Harehills Road and reducing potential turns and manoeuvres will cut down the rate of accidents and help pedestrians cross the road as and where they chose, making it easier to access local facilities on foot.

Designated parking areas near to local businesses and facilities. The closure / alteration of some junctions will create additional space for this

There'll also be some junction narrowing and the creation of one way entries and exits to improve visibility and reduce rat running.

Dewsbury Road

Half of people injured on this stretch of road are vulnerable road users - cyclists, pedestrian or motorcyclists.

Now there'll be a the provision of a cycle track, with segregated and shared facilities in both directions, between Hunslet Hall Road and Tunstall Road.

The introduction of dedicated on–street parking spaces to enable shoppers to park safely.

The introduction of a 20mph speed limit on Dewsbury road to create a safe environment for all forms of traffic including those on foot or bike.

A ‘no entry’ on Linden Grove from Dewsbury Road and a ‘no entry’ on Linden Road onto Dewsbury Road to reduce turning movement collisions at these junctions and around the petrol station.