Emerging City Centre Transport Strategy

[raveydavey]

Heard this mentioned on Radio Leeds tonight, so I Googled it to find some more info.What is out there appears pretty threadbare, and in some cases decidedly amateurish for a supposed council strategy (Park and Ride being signified with a graphic of a steam train?).That said, it gives an interesting idea of what someone within the Civic Hall sees as the future for Transport around our cityFirst off, a series of maps:http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/mgConvert ... erestingly they show a new NGT (Folly Bus) line to the east, heading towards St James's Hospital, plus a 'tram train' line not only to / from the airport, but extending across the city along the Aire Valley towards Castleford. An interesting point is the re-routing of the infamous City Centre Loop south of the river, dissecting Holbeck.This link contains more details for transport:http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents ... wh.pdfIt's funny isn't it how major planning strategy like this is hidden away on the council website, with hardly anyone knowing it is there. Still, a cynic might say that this means it can be claimed that the documentation has been in the public arena for ages....Have a look for yourselves. It's equally interesting and confusing!

[Cardiarms]

We have to do these sort of documents in the water industry, a 25 year long term strategic view that shows the direction of travel with a few vague aspirations but not tangible projects and what you are actually going to do in the next three to five years. Generally they reflect the flavour of the month at the time of writing and contribute little to reality. Mind you, worth keeping an eye on though.

[Phallica2000]

I was about to say, this comes around every 3-5 years, more claims of plans...then nothing comes to fruition.

[guitar man]

I would not be pleased if I lived in Micklefield,they plan to move the station away from the village further to the west to a Park and ride scheme on the A 656

[raveydavey]

guitar man wrote: I would not be pleased if I lived in Micklefield,they plan to move the station away from the village further to the west to a Park and ride scheme on the A 656 And there is no mention of the oft discussed proposed parkway station at Thorpe Park, which would seem to be the most sensible place for a park and ride station to the east of Leeds, directly adjacent to the motorway and the A63. I guess 'Micklefield Parkway' is a cheaper replacement...?

[WiggyDiggy]

Thanks for the heads up, will spend some time browsing it later....

[Riponian]

In ten years time, when the 10,000th taxi plate and 25,000th private hire plate has been issued by LCC, they'll have to work out where the pedestrians in the City Centre will go as all the pavements will be turned into taxi ranks, and they'll be queuing to get into town. It being their only unlimited revenue stream, and parking will be non existant anyway.    

[WiggyDiggy]

As a cyclist its depressing reading that, they're holding onto this idea that the 'Leeds Core Cycling Network' is going to tempt people out of the cars or off the bus/trains.The LCCN that has been delivered is a bimbling dilly daddle that snakes all over the place in a effort to find 'the quiet street'.Its far better to put better cycling provision on the main routes, which are faster and more convenient, and put proper segregation in place where needed (Sheepscar Exchange is a good example of where it has already been put) than these stupid meandering routes.It doesnt even need to be completed segregated all the time, I use the 'A65 Quality Bus Corridor' and negligible benefits for the buses aside its great as a cyclist, in peak time I barely see a bus as its stuck at one of the single lane sections or picking people up.The only silver lining is they are talking about not completing the LCCN (Phase 1 and 2, page 37) until 2026 so plenty of time to change it!

[mhoulden]

Cycling from west to east gives you the choice of Boar Lane or the Headrow. I've done both but I don't think you could describe either of them as quiet. Going the other way is a lot better because it takes you along the Calls and then either Sovereign St or Swinegate depending on where you're going. I think it should be compulsory for every cycle route planner to try cycling their intended route to see how practical it is. As a "hub" Leeds city centre is pretty big and it isn't really well designed for people who want to get across it rather than just stopping once you get there.

[Riponian]

I agree with WiggyDiggy, it would appear that the routes are planned by non-cyclists with no consultation with those likely to use them. As an urban cyclist up to work from town, I don't want to have to cross umpteen side roads and go 50% further than necessary as seems their plans. The idea that a lot of cyclists want to maintain a steady 16mph or so on the flat and not have to stop and start every 50 yards doesn't figure.As for the Kirkstall Road cycle lanes, I rarely have a bus pass me on them and it's a steady cruise to and from Wellington Street. However, if the canal towpath surfacing is good enough I may switch routes in the better weather (and daylight).I have noticed cycling in Leeds has gone up a lot in the last few years, possibly a trend because the local bus services are not helping themselves, and having any "under the wires" won't help either 'cos they'll still get stuck in the traffic.