Traffic chaos

[raveydavey]

There are clearly some allegedly very naughty people on trial at Leeds Court and have been for the last couple of weeks, although I don't recall seeing anything in the YEP.I know this as traffic in the city centre is regularly brought to a standstill as they leave the court at bang on 5pm most nights and then take a variety of routes back to whichever prison they are being held at (presumably not Armley looking at the routes they take).There is a convoy of motorbike outriders zipping around and stopping traffic as the convoy passes, traffic cars, armed officers in 4x4's and the police helicopter hovering overhead.As a person trying to get home from work, I wonder if it is absolutely necessary to create gridlock on the roads of the city centre at 5pm shifting these people about? Tonight the entire network around the courts, Park Square, Park Lane, the Headrow, the slip roads onto the Inner Ring Road and even the Loop at that side of town were left in a right state.Would it really hurt to hold them at the courts until AFTER the rush hour, thus avoiding buggering up the traffic for thousands of people simply trying to get home after a hard days work? Or perhaps have the court session finish a little earlier and shift them before the rush hour if overtime is likely to kick in later?You would have thought it would also be easier for the authorities to move them with less traffic in the way as well, wouldn't you?

[tyke bhoy]

raveydavey wrote: There are clearly some allegedly very naughty people on trial at Leeds Court and have been for the last couple of weeks, although I don't recall seeing anything in the YEP.I know this as traffic in the city centre is regularly brought to a standstill as they leave the court at bang on 5pm most nights and then take a variety of routes back to whichever prison they are being held at (presumably not Armley looking at the routes they take).There is a convoy of motorbike outriders zipping around and stopping traffic as the convoy passes, traffic cars, armed officers in 4x4's and the police helicopter hovering overhead.As a person trying to get home from work, I wonder if it is absolutely necessary to create gridlock on the roads of the city centre at 5pm shifting these people about? Tonight the entire network around the courts, Park Square, Park Lane, the Headrow, the slip roads onto the Inner Ring Road and even the Loop at that side of town were left in a right state.Would it really hurt to hold them at the courts until AFTER the rush hour, thus avoiding buggering up the traffic for thousands of people simply trying to get home after a hard days work? Or perhaps have the court session finish a little earlier and shift them before the rush hour if overtime is likely to kick in later?You would have thought it would also be easier for the authorities to move them with less traffic in the way as well, wouldn't you? My thoughts exactly on the timing and its Wakefield Jail that they are heading for. Its the same person/people that were on trial early in the year although I understand this is a different charge/case. That being so reporting restrictions will hopefully be lifted after this trial concludes. There was a thread on the earlier trialtooThe journey in must hit Leeds about 8.20 most mornings and as you point out the exit from Leeds is about 4.30-5.00. From my experience on Jury service and working near the courts there Lordships don't like turning out much before 10.00 and are very unhappy if they are needed to work beyond 4.00 so why the convoy needs to be in either rush hour is beyond me.I think the powers that be just enjoy making the commuters lives a misery

[anthonydna]

They closed City Sqaure a few months back and drove against the traffic (which was stopped!) past the lovely new lights in the tunnel. Must be pretty serious stuff.

[magic]

This must be the same convoy that had me held up at Gelderd Road, Wheatsheaf junction last week, about 5.20pm. I couldnt believe how close the 4x4 was in front of the prison van. It was that close i had to look twice to see if it was attached!!!

[Brandy]

I think it was this firm http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... 29547.jpby all accounts they had them up for all kinds but they managed to get most of the charges dropped.    

[tyke bhoy]

Brandy wrote: I think it was this firm http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... 29547.jpby all accounts they had them up for all kinds but they managed to get most of the charges dropped.     Probably not Brandy. That article was updated at 7.45am on the 17th. Much later at 5.30pm on the same day I saw the escort on the A61 in Outwood. With the YEP's reputation that can only be a report on a trial that ended on the 16th (or earlier) and with sentencing over there would be no need for a court appearance and the inevitable escort yesterday.Also, although firearms charges were brought, with all the "players" on trial, I doubt they would warrant such an escort. I think this involves person or persons who potentially have people on the outside who either want to spring them or alternatively dispose of them.    

[Crazy Jane]

Had wondered the same thing myself, not so much the traffic as i don;t drive or work in town, but about 2 1/2 weeks back i was visiting a friend in LGI and went past the court buildings, and there were a bunch of cops outside with machine guns (or are they sub-machine carbines?)

[tyke bhoy]

It caused a conflict of interests on Tuesday night. As per usual the top of Park Street was presumably cordoned off by armed police. So traffic was therefore stationery back along Great George Street, onto Portland Street, back up Calverley Street (where I was) and presumably back up Portland Way and possibly Clarendon Way.Anyway cue an Ambulance coming down Calverley Street, blues and twos flashing and blaring. It made very slow progress down Calverley Street as traffic going up was also nose to tail in both lanes, as it usually is. It then did the dog leg into Portland Street which is often a tight squeeze when it isn't blocked by queuing traffic. I don't know if it made it onto Great George Street before the cordon was lifted and traffic started flowing again!

[weenie]

was in the court on oxford row and the police were inside there, with there weapons all over joint- dont know what for and it wasnt for me befor any comments

[BLAKEY]

raveydavey wrote: There are clearly some allegedly very naughty people on trial at Leeds Court and have been for the last couple of weeks, although I don't recall seeing anything in the YEP.Would it really hurt to hold them at the courts until AFTER the rush hour, thus avoiding buggering up the traffic for thousands of people simply trying to get home after a hard days work? Or perhaps have the court session finish a little earlier and shift them before the rush hour if overtime is likely to kick in later?You would have thought it would also be easier for the authorities to move them with less traffic in the way as well, wouldn't you? Good grief, Monday 7th must have been one of the most expensive days for years then !! I was waiting outside the Three Horse Shoes at Oulton at 2,00pm for some friends to arrive for lunch when the very same costly entourage came downhill from John O' Gaunts - complete with helicopter above. I hate to think what this lot is costing on a regular basis. All this because the World's low life won't behave - but work like a donkey all your life, pay your taxes, and live decently and then try to get a hip replacement or a cancer drug while you can still benefit and you might get a sad and nasty shock. Enough to make you weep !!