Woodhouse Moor trees saved (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Woodhouse Moor trees saved

December 19, 2008 12:00 AM

Last night councillors firmly rejected proposal for the widening of the A660 at Woodhouse Moor. The Inner North West Area Committee agreed unanimously that the proposals to increase the road width should be scrapped completely.

The proposal formed part of a package of measures to address transport issues on the A660 between Leeds' inner and outer ring roads. To allow the road to be widened, trees would have been uprooted and yorkstone paving removed.

Cllr Jamie Matthews (Lib Dem, Headingley) said:

"We felt this proposal was completely unacceptable as it would have involved tearing up the yorkstone paving and trees at the roadside, making the area considerably less attractive. Local people know this is the least congested part of the A660 and we don't need road widening here."

Cllr Penny Ewens, (Lib Dem Hyde Park and Woodhouse) said:

"We have for some time been arguing for a pedestrian crossing on Clarendon Road, by the Library Pub but this shouldn't come with the expense of a wider road. However, I am looking forward to the long-term scheme to reduce congestion.

Chair of the committee, Cllr James Monaghan, (Lib Dem, Headingley) said:

"The committee certainly agrees that congestion issues in this part of the city need to be addressed but encouraging car use by widening the road is a bad way to go about it. A far better approach would be to provide better facilities for buses and cyclists and discouraging motorists from clogging up residential roads with commuter parking."