A64(M) Regent street flyover replacement Leeds.

[NICK 647063]

Not seen this mentioned on here but it was reported in September 2019 that the Regent street flyover on the A64(M) in Leeds needs full replacement, it didn’t go into detail but for some reason this flyover seems to be suffering whereas the other flyovers on the inner ring road most 1960’s seem ok, anyway Leeds was applying to the DFT for funding and a decision was due in January, I can’t find any details to say this is approved but Leeds City council have already installed 2 crossover points one on the A64(M) and the other on the A64 up York Road which also involved removing a large gantry outside the Go Outdoors store...

I assume funding must be granted as prep work is ongoing and it’s listed on Roadworks.org as works starting in June 2020, this will involve a contraflow on the eastbound A64(M) and the closure of the westbound to demolish half of the flyover, they will also close access from Marsh Lane and North street with the A64(M) running with just one lane each way in contraflow, this will cause huge delays.

It also states the new flyover will be improved as it will be carrying more traffic in the next few years as traffic is rerouted from the very centre of Leeds, so not sure if it’s going to be a bit wider, anyway looks like it’s getting constructed in two halves but will take nearly 2 years, not to mention the Armley gyratory improvments running at the same time, Leeds could be fun! Anyway I guess anything is better than the current arrangement as I passed under the flyover tonight and it’s now propped up below.

[Bryn666]

Wasn't this structure temporary compared to the rest of the IRR? That probably explains why it needs replacing.

[NICK 647063]

Wasn't this structure temporary compared to the rest of the IRR? That probably explains why it needs replacing.

I’m not sure all the documentation doesn’t say it was ever temporary, it just says it was constructed in the 1960’s and is reaching end of life.

[Chris5156]

Wasn't this structure temporary compared to the rest of the IRR? That probably explains why it needs replacing.

No, I don't think so. The westbound ramp leading up to it was supposed to be temporary - the westbound was ultimately meant to be double-deck like the eastbound is, but that was never built. As it stands, though, if it's not repairable, it makes sense to replace it like for like.

Presumably this is all referring only to the actual flyover across Regent Street, and not the whole double-deck section it leads in to.

I've always thought of it as an excessively chunky structure - I wonder if something a bit more elegant will take its place.

[NICK 647063]

It’s certainly chunky! As far as I’m aware it’s just the flyover that needs replacing, the rest of the A64(M) is fine including the double deck section, for some reason the flyover has suffered to be fair it could be the sheer weight of its chunky construction that’s its downfall as it’s struggling to support itself now, it’s now got additional supports added at each end underneath, I suspect they will go for something more slimline as that whole area of Leeds is undergoing much redevelopment and the new flyover needs to blend in more.

[Bryn666]

Wasn't this structure temporary compared to the rest of the IRR? That probably explains why it needs replacing.

No, I don't think so. The westbound ramp leading up to it was supposed to be temporary - the westbound was ultimately meant to be double-deck like the eastbound is, but that was never built. As it stands, though, if it's not repairable, it makes sense to replace it like for like.

Presumably this is all referring only to the actual flyover across Regent Street, and not the whole double-deck section it leads in to.

I've always thought of it as an excessively chunky structure - I wonder if something a bit more elegant will take its place.

Yes that's where I was getting muddled up. I was thinking of the unfinished bit between Regent Road and the Woodpecker.

It will be definitely tricky to replace in situ, depending on the deck structure it may be possible to demolish and replace it one carriageway at a time, otherwise expect some funky bailey bridges no doubt as being seen on the M4.

[NICK 647063]

I went through Leeds this morning on the A64 and apparently a closure will be in place tomorrow night to install the contraflow, heading westbound into Leeds on A64 York Road they have installed a sea of signs, roadworks 1 mile signs just after the large Asda killingbeck, loads of Queues ahead signage, interestingly York Road will go down to 1 lane prior to Torre Road Flyover then looking at the signage once the on slip joins from Ivy Street it will be 2 lanes 1 for marsh lane only and the other for A64(M) which will then go through the central reservation into contraflow, I would say the timing is very lucky as this was planned for a few years but with Covid traffic is a bit lighter, I know in the morning rush if even a car breaks down and blocks one of the A64 lanes we have seen traffic beyond Seacroft, well over 6 miles, so having to close an A64 lane for nearly 2 years will be interesting when traffic picks up.

I have also read Leeds City Council approved this to go ahead “at risk” basically the DFT haven’t approved any funding due to delays with Covid but as the flyover is in such a bad state a full closure would be needed in 12 months, so Leeds have borrowed the £32 million and are proceeding at risk with the vital project.

It’s a massive task to replace this flyover half at a time while keeping the traffic flowing both underneath and on it, will be an interesting 2 years.

The signage looks fantastic no expense spared but the only thing I noticed was no signs on the westbound approach to direct non motorway traffic down to marsh lane, at present non motorway traffic leaves at Quarry Hill onto Eastgate but if non motorway traffic doesn’t get into the marsh lane traffic lane then it will end up in the contraflow and on the motorway, although the signage says A64(M) many still don’t realise it’s a motorway.

[L.J.D]

Update on this with pictures

Here

Usual story really damage from road salt and it also says poor construction. Surprised Leeds didn't look into demolishing and not replacing as I read an article other week that said they are trying to wean the city off car use and step away from the "Motorway City" image. They are making a quick effort with segregated cycling at the moment. The A639/A61 is been worked on massively right down to the junction at Thwaites which itself is gonna become a signalised roundabout.

[Chris5156]

Surprised Leeds didn't look into demolishing and not replacing as I read an article other week that said they are trying to wean the city off car use and step away from the "Motorway City" image. They are making a quick effort with segregated cycling at the moment. The A639/A61 is been worked on massively right down to the junction at Thwaites which itself is gonna become a signalised roundabout.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was thought about at an early stage of the project.

However, if I were in Leeds City Council's position, I'd go ahead and replace it like for like. The Inner Ring Road is extraordinarily useful in removing through traffic from the city centre - it's the sort of road that enables the actual streets in the city centre to be closed to cars, and actually large parts of the city within the IRR are already pedestrianised, open only to buses and taxis, or otherwise treated with what we'd now call modal filtering. There's plenty more that could be done, but I think keeping the IRR in place is a useful enabler for that.

[Owain]

...if I were in Leeds City Council's position, I'd go ahead and replace it like for like....

Apparently, Leeds City Council is at the top of a list of councils nationally that are on the verge of bankruptcy as a result of coronavirus, so whatever they do will no doubt be determined by whatever funding they do or don't get.

The condition of this road - which is probably the worst I've ever driven in the UK on account of its 'hidden' undulations - suggests that they are seriously strapped for cash.

[NICK 647063]

Apparently, Leeds City Council is at the top of a list of councils nationally that are on the verge of bankruptcy as a result of coronavirus, so whatever they do will no doubt be determined by whatever funding they do or don't get.

The condition of this road - which is probably the worst I've ever driven in the UK on account of its 'hidden' undulations - suggests that they are seriously strapped for cash.

To be honest the main roads in Leeds seem pretty good, I was more shocked when I visited Manchester the A576 was in a terrible state from the M60 into Manchester.

Apparently the £31 million is borrowed for this scheme and is awaiting a funding bid from DFT but the works had to start as they are so urgent.

[85CF380]

Regent St flyover works 3 Dumbest driver of the Day 0.
Two weeks ago (Sat) these road works beat me, well & truely. Ist trip thru' Leeds since Feb. Coming from M621 I got as far as Marsh Lane before I realised something was afoot. There was a queue to go up to St James's so joined York Rd eastbound. Came off at Harehills Lane, what was I thinking of. 1-0 down. Not to be defeated on the return journey 'be prepared', when I saw the A61 traffic queuing I shot up Benson St onto Skinner Ln & etc past the Arena on to the loop, but instead of taking Vicar Lane I took New York Rd, to cross Regent St, but you not allowed to cross Regent St, so had to drive north (I was wanting to go south) on Regent St. 2-0 down. Not to be out done I cut up on to North St & headed for Vicar Lane that way. Although the car in front went across to Vicar Lane, it was Buses only. So at Brewdog, back down New York Rd on on to Regent St ( in the wrong direction for me),I went. 3-0.
Last week I made sure I was in the correct lane for Vicar Lane.

[NICK 647063]

Works seems to be cracking on here whole westbound side gone and plies getting installed ready for rebuild...

Interestingly after 3 months we have seen a number of accidents in the works, the contraflow section involves a traffic signal pedestrian crossing with 2 serious pedestrian accidents and another 7 accidents in the work including a head on in the contraflow, contractors are now installing average speed cameras overnight this week to enforce the 30 limit and hopefully reduce the accidents, to be fair speed cameras were needed from the start.

[Bomag]

Works seems to be cracking on here whole westbound side gone and plies getting installed ready for rebuild...

Interestingly after 3 months we have seen a number of accidents in the works, the contraflow section involves a traffic signal pedestrian crossing with 2 serious pedestrian accidents and another 7 accidents in the work including a head on in the contraflow, contractors are now installing average speed cameras overnight this week to enforce the 30 limit and hopefully reduce the accidents, to be fair speed cameras were needed from the start.

Enforcement would need the signing to comply with the regs. Also the safety issues I have seen have very little to do with speed - signs with insufficient 'x' height, signs with too much information, insufficient clear visibility/SSD and clutter leading to signing overload.

[NICK 647063]

So the westbound side is due to open next month 20th April at which time the contraflow will switch to that side to allow the full demolition and rebuild of the eastbound side, to be fair the council had very lucky timing with covid traffic levels are much lower, these works in normal times would be absolute chaos........ I noticed streetview have the works on now.

On another note it would seem the new 30 mph cameras went live in the works in January and thousands of tickets have been handed out, apparently the cameras are doing on average 250 tickets per hour, to the point West Yorkshire police cannot keep up with the sheer amount, I go through most days and have not got a ticket but it seems the argument on social media from Leeds folk is they didn't think the cameras were working or they didn't see the 30 signs (eyes roll)...... most seem to have got 4 or 5 tickets each before realising the cameras were on, also a weeks worth of tickets were written off at the start as too many 30 reminders were on site, Leeds city council hired a specialist from Highways England to sort signage, as its got streetlights all the 30 repeaters had to be removed to make it legal, as streetlights mean 30 unless otherwise stated, so now it simply has 30 and each end and a 30 reminder with camera just prior to speed cameras, the council also added a number a large matrix signs that flash "30 SLOW DOWN" but still people are not slowing down, either way people will learn the hard way I guess.

[Bomag]

So the westbound side is due to open next month 20th April at which time the contraflow will switch to that side to allow the full demolition and rebuild of the eastbound side, to be fair the council had very lucky timing with covid traffic levels are much lower, these works in normal times would be absolute chaos........ I noticed streetview have the works on now.

On another note it would seem the new 30 mph cameras went live in the works in January and thousands of tickets have been handed out, apparently the cameras are doing on average 250 tickets per hour, to the point West Yorkshire police cannot keep up with the sheer amount, I go through most days and have not got a ticket but it seems the argument on social media from Leeds folk is they didn't think the cameras were working or they didn't see the 30 signs (eyes roll)...... most seem to have got 4 or 5 tickets each before realising the cameras were on, also a weeks worth of tickets were written off at the start as too many 30 reminders were on site, Leeds city council hired a specialist from Highways England to sort signage, as its got streetlights all the 30 repeaters had to be removed to make it legal, as streetlights mean 30 unless otherwise stated, so now it simply has 30 and each end and a 30 reminder with camera just prior to speed cameras, the council also added a number a large matrix signs that flash "30 SLOW DOWN" but still people are not slowing down, either way people will learn the hard way I guess.

They did not 'hire' a specialist from HE. The author of TSM Chapter 8, who works from the HE's Leeds office, pointed out that the signing was both a. crap and b. unlawful. Unfortunately Leeds City Counil only sorted out the unlawful bits.

[JammyDodge]

a weeks worth of tickets were written off at the start as too many 30 reminders were on site

Too many repeaters, seriously? Often I want more damn repeaters than less

[Chris5156]

a weeks worth of tickets were written off at the start as too many 30 reminders were on site

Too many repeaters, seriously? Often I want more damn repeaters than less

30 repeaters can only be used where there is no system of street lighting. Since the A64(M) is lit throughout, the 30 limit can’t have repeaters.

[Chris Bertram]

a weeks worth of tickets were written off at the start as too many 30 reminders were on site

Too many repeaters, seriously? Often I want more damn repeaters than less

30 repeaters can only be used where there is no system of street lighting. Since the A64(M) is lit throughout, the 30 limit can’t have repeaters.

You *can* have a 30 repeater as part of a speed camera warning sign.

[Bryn666]

Too many repeaters, seriously? Often I want more damn repeaters than less

30 repeaters can only be used where there is no system of street lighting. Since the A64(M) is lit throughout, the 30 limit can’t have repeaters.

You *can* have a 30 repeater as part of a speed camera warning sign.

But the use of Dia. 880 must be backed up with actual speed cameras so be wary of what you wish for.

We need to break the link between "streetlighting" and "30 mph" anyway, it's a stupid system especially given several counties take lighting out into the sticks. I'd much prefer the European "town entry" sign and use of repeaters where appropriate.