A65 in Leeds reopens after stranded lorry causes traffic chaos

The 40ft-long concrete-laden lorry got stuck near the junction of the A65 Commercial Road and Savins Mill Way, close to Morrisons, in Kirkstall, at about 10am yesterday. (Feb 17)

It was attempting a left-turn onto the A65 from Beecroft Street when its trailer effectively snapped in two.

Both sides of the A65 were blocked, triggering lengthy tailbacks on surrounding roads.

And, as the evening rush-hour started, the A65 remained closed inbound from Savins Mill Way. The route was also shut outbound from the junction of Viaduct Road and Willow Road.

The lorry has now been removed from Kirkstall Road and traffic is returning to normal.


A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said specialist cranes were being brought in from Hull and Sheffield to get the road clear.

One large crane was available locally that in theory could have done the removal job but it proved too big for the amount of room left to manoeuvre at the scene of the incident. Bus services affected included the 33, 33A, X33, 508, 670 and 671, with delays of up to an hour being reported.

Leeds residents caught up in the mayhem took to Twitter to voice their frustration.

Jack Calvert wrote: “What’s happened on Kirkstall Road? Traffic is horrendous.”

Liam Calland, meanwhile, bemoaned the prospect of a “hellish” journey home.

Alex Al-Shaikh, a dentist, wrote: “It seems like this [lorry] is preventing my remaining patients from getting here!”

Tens of thousands of vehicles a day use the A65, the main gateway to and from Leeds city centre for commuters living in places such as Horsforth, Guiseley and Yeadon.