Return to the past essential for transport of the future

Work on the £15m project could begin next year and it is planned to bring in materials by barge along the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Invoking images of a largely bygone era, they will sail from a loading and unloading area at Water Lane downstream of the site of the proposed entrance near the Dark Arches.

The barge option has been drawn up to overcome access problems near the Arches, which stand over the River Aire with the Aire and Calder and Leeds-Liverpool canal close by.

A report due to be discussed today by Leeds Council’s city centre plans panel, says: “The site has a number of constraints affecting construction.

“In addition to working over water, there is limited storage space for materials and immediate access is via minor roads – Little Neville Street or Granary Wharf – close to relatively tall apartments blocks and hotels.

“Therefore the primary route to the site for materials will be along the Aire and Calder Navigation by barge from the loading/unloading area to the east of the main site. The barges will be moored next to the banks for unloading by crane or fixed into position in the river itself.”