Briggate Action Plan to move forward following public support

These include heavy bikes used by delivery drivers, some of which can travel up to 45 mph and which represent a serious potential risk to pedestrian safety in the event of a collision.

More than 2,100 people had their say as part of the consultation, which asked them if they would be in favour of:

• A requirement to walk with (rather than ride) bicycles and e-bikes within the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area during pedestrianised hours. As well as Briggate, this area includes Lands Lane, Commercial Street, Albion Place and lower Albion Street. A total of 87 per cent of respondents were in favour.
• An extension to the hours during which this area is pedestrianised, from the current hours of 10.30am until 7pm to new hours of 10am until 8pm. Of those responding, 84 per cent were in favour.
• A prohibition of pedlars from defined areas. Pedlars are defined as non-static or mobile street traders and are not licensed by the council. On an average day Briggate will see around 15 pedlars, with many more gathering during key events such as Light Night Leeds. Consultation responses were 69 per cent in favour of restricting pedlars.

After collating results and feedback from the consultation, Leeds City Council officers are now drawing up plans for the next phase of the scheme, which will include applying for new legislation enabling the restrictions to be put in place and enforced.

This will require the council to follow an extensive and detailed statutory process, but it is hoped the new measures will be implemented within the next 6-12 months.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development said: “It was great to see so many people giving their views on these important proposals, which are aimed at making the city centre a safer place for everyone.

“Leeds city centre welcomes hundreds of thousands of people every year to enjoy one of the country’s most successful and vibrant retail, leisure and cultural destinations, so it’s vital that we do all we can to ensure their visit is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

“This action plan will aim to address a number of concerns which the public have told us have a negative impact on their experience of the city centre and this will hopefully make Leeds an even more attractive place for people to come and spend their time.”

ENDS