£30m Scheme Proposed to Improve Links to Leeds Teaching Hospital

A transport upgrade valued at around £30m is being proposed to improve access to St James’s University Hospital in Leeds, one of the city’s main healthcare centres.

The plans focus on enhancing Burmantofts Street and Beckett Street—two key routes connecting the hospital with Leeds city centre. Leeds City Council has submitted a funding bid to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the scheme.

Proposals include the introduction of new bus lanes in both directions, as well as dedicated cycling routes and improved pedestrian infrastructure. If approved, construction is expected to begin in August 2026, with completion targeted for autumn 2027.

A council spokesperson said the scheme is designed to improve journey times and reliability for buses, particularly during busy periods, while also encouraging more sustainable travel options.

Safety is a major driver behind the project. Council data shows that between 2017 and 2023 there were 67 recorded casualties along the route, including 13 serious injuries and one fatality. The proposed changes aim to reduce these risks through better road design and traffic management.

Additional elements of the plan include road widening in certain areas, the introduction of a 24-hour bus lane, and measures to better manage traffic flow.

The improvements are also expected to benefit nearby communities such as

Burmantofts, Lincoln Green, Richmond Hill and Harehills. The new cycling infrastructure will connect with existing routes, allowing for fully segregated travel between the hospital and the city centre, while buses will link into current priority measures on York Street to create smoother journeys.

Funding for the project—estimated at approximately £30.5m—has been identified through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, subject to final approval.