Briggate Action Plan Advances After Public Backing

Leeds council to introduce new pedestrian safety measures in city centre

Plans to improve safety for pedestrians and shoppers in some of Leeds city centre’s busiest areas are set to move forward following strong public support. The Briggate Action Plan aims to address concerns raised by residents and visitors, particularly regarding the high volume of bicycles using pedestrianised zones.

Consultation outcomes

Leeds City Council conducted a public consultation to gather opinions on proposed measures designed to enhance safety on Briggate and surrounding streets. More than 2,100 people responded to the consultation, which focused on three key proposals:

• Walking bicycles and e-bikes during pedestrianised hours: Respondents were asked if they supported a requirement for cyclists to dismount and walk their bikes within the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area during designated hours. This area includes Briggate, Lands Lane, Commercial Street, Albion Place, and lower Albion Street. 87% of respondents supported this proposal.
• Extending pedestrianised hours: The council proposed extending the pedestrianised hours from the current 10:30am–7pm to 10am–8pm. This change received 84% public support.
• Restricting pedlars: The plan includes prohibiting pedlars—defined as non-static or mobile street traders not licensed by the council—from specified areas. On average, around 15 pedlars operate on Briggate daily, with numbers increasing during major events such as Light Night Leeds. This proposal was supported by 69% of respondents.

Next steps

Following the consultation, council officers are preparing to apply for new legislation that would allow these restrictions to be enforced. The process involves a detailed statutory procedure, and it is anticipated that the new measures could be implemented within 6 to 12 months.

Council response

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development, said the consultation demonstrated strong public interest in improving city centre safety. He emphasised the importance of making Leeds a safe and enjoyable destination for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit each year for retail, leisure, and cultural activities.

He added that the action plan aims to address issues negatively affecting the city centre experience and hopes it will contribute to making Leeds an even more attractive place to visit.