Wike Ridge Little Free Library

On Wednesday 24th March a new Little Free Library was inaugurated near the entrance to the Wike Ridge Estate. A library kiosk has been built and installed in front of 2 Wike Ridge Grove just after the entrance to the estate from Wike Ridge Lane. Local residents are able to exchange titles that they have read and thus encourage sharing of books that have been purchased rather than having them simply decorate bookshelves. The project to set up the little Free Library has been led by local residents Jade Selman, Jacqui Ridsdale and Carol Wurr and grant assistance towards costs has been provided by Harewood Parish Council. Funding was approved at the January 2021 meeting of the Council and the organisers are to be congratulated on bring the idea to fruition so quickly.

Local resident and organiser Carol Wurr beside the new amenity in Wike Ridge

There are now many Little Free Libraries throughout Leeds. Leeds Little Free Library

Eccup Lane Daytime Closure 8th – 12th March

Part of Eccup Lane will be closed between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on the dates shown above. This is due to overhead cabling and splicing works. Diversions will operate via High Weardley Lane.

Map showing the precise location.

Census 2021 on Sunday 21st March – Be prepared

The census is coming. By taking part, you can help inform decisions on services that shape your community, such as healthcare, education and transport. The census is a unique survey that happens every 10 years. It gives us a snapshot of all the people and households in England and Wales – the most detailed information we have about our society.

It’s important that you fill in your census questionnaire. Without the information you share, it’d be more difficult to understand your community’s needs and to plan and fund public services In one way or another, your information touches the lives of every single person living in England and Wales, whether it’s through using census information to plan new schools, doctors’ surgeries or bike lanes.

Because these things matter to us all, everyone needs to complete the census. Do not worry, government officials dealing with applications you’ve made or payments or services you receive cannot see it. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) runs the census in England and Wales and is independent from government. Your details are protected by law and information published is always anonymous.

Census Day is Sunday 21 March 2021. You can fill yours in online as soon as you get your access code in the post. If your household circumstances change on Census Day, you can let the ONS know.

Everyone should have the support they need to fill in the census. If you, or anyone you know, needs help, there’s a wide range of support services available. These include a contact centre that can give you help over the phone and guidance in a range of languages and accessible formats, including paper questionnaires and large print.

If you need help or have any questions, visit www.census.gov.uk

Ring Road Closure in Shadwell 5th – 8th February

The following information has been supplied by Leeds City Council Highways Services.

During the weekend of 5^th – 8^th Feb, as part of the on going East Leeds Orbital Road scheme , Yorkshire Water will begin the first phase of their deep, water connection into the Ring Road at Shadwell part of the site. The work will involve two large, deep excavations in the carriageway and it will not be safe enough to allow traffic to pass through the site while works are on going

Therefore the Ring Road Shadwell will be closed to all traffic – between the Wetherby Road roundabout on the A58 to the Park Lane/Roundhay Park Lane junction – from 19.30 on Friday 5th to 06.00 Monday 8^th

There will be a signed diversion route available via Wetherby Road – Easterly Road – Oakwood Lane – Princes Ave – Street Lane – Park Lane and vice versa. There is a huge amount of work to be carried out in such a short space of time so extended working hours have been agreed to ensure that Yorkshire Water can make full use of the closure while it is in place and ensure that the road is reopened for Monday morning

Advanced warning signs are in place and the electrical notice signs in the area will be updated to inform the wider public of the work

The second phase of this work is currently planned for the weekend of the 12^th March 2021 with the same closures and diversion in place. Confirmation will follow.

Area Network Engineer – Leeds North, Network Management, Highways Services, Leeds City Council. Tel. 0113 3787573

Night Roadworks on the A61

Resurfacing works will take place on the junction of the A61 Harrogate Road and the Avenue.
To improve safety and reduce delays the existing signalised junction has been replaced with an upgraded ‘smart signalling system, including crossing facilities on all approaches to the junction. To complete the project, new tarmac needs to be laid. The carriageway resurfacing works will be from: 25 January to 29 January 2021 between 7pm to midnight for 5 nights.

Plan your journey

Diversions

Leeds City Council have advised that due to the resurfacing works, there will be diversions in place and access only in Harewood. If you need to do an essential journey please plan your journey before you set off. You can do this by clicking the link below.

Plan Ahead

Traffic delays in Harewood 18th – 22nd January 2021

The Council has been notified of roadworks delays caused by resurfacing work that will affect Harewood Avenue and Harrogate Road in Harewood village on the dates shown above.

Temporary Traffic Lights in Harewood

The following information has been supplied by Leeds City Council.

A trial was conducted on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 November to install temporary traffic lights at the Harewood Junction on Harrogate Road.
Unfortunately this led to some traffic disruption during peak times and the trial was stopped.

If you’d like to know more about the scheme and why there are road works, please click ‘Read more’.

What’s next?

New temporary traffic lights

Following this trial we’ll be installing temporary traffic lights with 3 improvements:
1. The traffic lights follow the same signalling timings as the junction does currently, with 2 phase traffic lights.
2. The traffic lights must be manned to alleviate queuing at one part of the junction over another between the hours of 7am-5pm as a minimum.
3. Any lane closures will be off peak during 9.30am-3pm.

New temporary traffic lights will be installed on Saturday 5 December.

Will these lead to more disruption?

Despite lockdown being eased, the timings of the new temporary traffic lights will mirror that of the current traffic lights at minimum during peak times, therefore we don’t foresee any more delay to traffic than normal.

Why are the traffic lights being changed?

The existing signals are disrupting work time available on The Avenue and Harrogate Road. The temporary manned traffic signals will allow for greater flexibility for users of the junction and workers.

Ultimately, if temporary traffic lights aren’t installed this will lead to long delays in construction of the scheme and inconvenience local residents for longer.

Ducting work will commence on The Avenue from Monday 7 December which will lead to some on-street parking spaces being coned off temporarily.

If you need to contact us about these works you can find us on Facebook and Twitter @ConnectingLeeds or email us at connectingleeds@leeds.gov.uk.
Thanks, The Connecting Leeds team.

Christmas Lights

The Parish Council has arranged for Christmas Lights this year in Harewood Village and at the shops in High Ash Drive, Wigton Moor.

The switch-on times are as follows.

Harewood Village: Friday 27th November 4:00 pm

High Ash Drive: Friday 4th December 4:00 pm

You are asked to fully observe social distancing requirements if you intend to come along to observe the switch on.