Find out more about plans to improve the M621 in Leeds

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF HIGHWAYS ENGLAND

People in Leeds are being given the chance to find out more about plans to upgrade the M621 between junction 1 and 7.

The planned Highways England improvements will provide additional capacity and improve journey times and safety while supporting economic growth in the region.

The options being explored to improve this busy commuter route include improvements between junction 1 and 7, additional lanes at points along the route and more signage which will improve the information drivers receive.

The project is expected to cost around £55m and is due to start in 2020, subject to achieving all the necessary approvals.

A consultation is now taking place which will run for six weeks to Sunday 15 October, for people to give their views.

A series of events are also being held for people to come along, meet the team and find out more about the scheme.

These will be held on Friday 8 September from 1pm until 8pm at the Hillside Enterprise Centre, Beeston Rd, Leeds LS11 8ND; Saturday 9 September from 10am until 4pm at the same venue and on Saturday 16 September from 10am until 4pm at St Matthew’s Community Centre, St Matthew’s Street, Leeds, LS11 9NR.

Highways England project manager Sarah Kearns said:

“This is an exciting scheme that will help improve motorist’s journeys and cut congestion in Leeds.

“We look forward to people coming along to these events to find out more and have their say.”

For more information please visit the scheme webpage or email M621J1to7@highwaysengland.co.uk.

Ends

Reporters and photographers/film crews are invited to a preview event of the proposals on Friday 8 September between 10.30am and 11.30am at the Hillside Enterprise Centre. Please confirm attendance to Kathryn.moore@highwaysengland.co.uk or 07525922459

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Highways England is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

1. Maintenance and improvement projects: We plan maintenance and improvement projects carefully to allow road works to be completed safely, in a cost effective way while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum. We do as much work as possible overnight and when roads are less busy in order to keep more lanes open for road users at peak travel times. Drivers are advised to check their route for road works and allow extra time for their journeys where needed. We have a variety of journey planning tools that road users can use to check travel conditions on the roads we manage, and we will do all we can to keep road users informed.

1. Safety at roadworks: Highways England is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:

- Keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety.

- Get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching.

- Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.

- Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks.

- Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front.

- Observe all signs – they are there to help you.

- And be alert for road workers, the roads are their workplace.

1. Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available:

• From the web at www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or from a phone or mobile device at m.highways.gov.uk
• By phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 at any time. (Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than a national call to an 01 or 02 number and are included in all discount schemes and call allowances. This applies to all landlines, mobiles and payphones. Call costs will vary depending on your landline or mobile supplier.) Make sure it’s safe and legal before you call. Before using any mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
• On Apple and Android mobile devices via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• From Twitter – there are eight feeds with live traffic information provided by region. For information on roads in Yorkshire and Humber follow us at @HighwaysNEAST @HighwaysYORKS or for the full index visit www.highways.gov.uk/twitter.

For further information please contact Kathryn Moore on 07525 922 459. Media enquiries out of hours should be made to Highways England’s National Press Office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448.

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