£2.6m plan to ease traffic blackspot

A £2.6M scheme to try and alleviate problems at a Yorkshire traffic blackspot is set to be approved next week.

The money will be used to install traffic lights at the roundabout where the Leeds Outer Ring Road crosses the A65 at Horsforth, in Leeds.

Both roads are key commuter routes and the roundabout is a major pinch point in the morning and evening rush hours.

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Additional traffic is also expected to be generated by a new housing development on the nearby former Clariant Works off Calverley Lane which was recently granted planning permission.

Leeds City Council executive member for the economy and development, Coun Richard Lewis, said: “Horsforth roundabout can be a nightmare to traffic from all directions and regardless of the nearby development we would have taken action to improve conditions for road users.

“This is a huge scheme which will take some time to complete but it will transform a vital roundabout on our road network.

“I believe the scheme, along with the improvements planned for the Rodley roundabout, will prove transformational to the movement of traffic in west Leeds.”

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It is hoped the traffic lights will stop stationary cars blocking the roundabout at peak times.

The first phase of work will involve changes to underground services with the major highway work likely to take around eight months to complete.