Creation of a green link corridor moves step closer

Leeds City Council in partnership with UK charity Sustrans have signed a memorandum of understanding for the 434,000 Connect2 scheme. Work has recently started on the site and most of the work is expected to be completed by March 2011.

The scheme forms part of the council's Leeds Core Cycle Network and will provide a green link from the David Young Community Academy and surrounding communities through Wyke Beck Woods to the historic Roundhay Park. The route has received 200,000 from Sustrans, and funding of just over 200,000 from Leeds City Council.

The widened, renewed path through the Wyke Beck Woods combined with traffic lights to help people across the main road will allow local people, including those with young families, a pleasant place to walk and cycle.

Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for development and regeneration, said: "The new route will provide an alternative option for people to experience the delights of this scenic route with the added safety of traffic measures.

"The new route will make everyday journeys through North Leeds easier, and promotes the idea of healthy living and making the most of using environmentally friendly methods of getting to and from areas of Leeds."

David Hall from Sustrans who signed the agreement, said the project was also an important phase in the wider vision of creating a continuous greenway connecting Roundhay Park to Temple Newsam Park.

Vanessa White, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for Yorkshire and The Humber, added: "This is great news for North Leeds as the new route will make it all that bit easier to make every day journeys by foot or bike. People from across the UK voted for Sustrans to be awarded the 50m Lottery grant, so it's fantastic to see some of that funding making its way to benefit Leeds."

Sustrans' Connect2 is a UK-wide project to allow the creation of networks of greenways, making it easier for millions of people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys.