City tailbacks set to continue until weekend

SEVERE traffic congestion affecting Leeds city centre may not ease until the weekend.

A utilities company carrying out emergency gas pipeline repairs on the Armley Gyratory expects the work to be completed by tomorrow night.

The company was given a five-day window to complete the works by Leeds Council and expects to be finished on time.

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The works have led to tailbacks on several roads including the A58 inner ring road. The gas pipeline work has coincided with work on the Quality Bus Corridor on Kirkstall Road.

Businesses said the gridlock has lost them trade. Sales at Majestic Wines, near the gyratory, have fallen by about 25 per cent. Taxi drivers have also reported losing fares as their journeys to pick up customers have taken much longer than normal.

Steve Biddle, regional director of the Road Haulage Association, said it was a "constant battle" for lorry drivers to get to their destination.

A spokeswoman for United Utilities, responsible for the gyratory works, said the work may not be completed until Friday evening.