Consultation launched to improve school travel routes in Leeds

Residents invited to comment on plans to enhance walking and cycling access

Leeds City Council has opened a public consultation on proposals to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling routes to schools in the Middleton and Halton Moor areas. The initiative aims to make journeys to school safer and more accessible while addressing traffic congestion and parking issues around local schools.

Background and objectives

The proposals focus on streets surrounding several schools, including Elements Primary School in Middleton, and Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School and College in Halton Moor. Although most pupils live within a ten-minute walk of their schools, a higher than average number currently travel by car. This has contributed to congestion, parking on pavements, narrow pathways, and a lack of safe crossing points during school drop-off and pick-up times.

The council’s plans seek to reduce car dependency and encourage active travel by improving infrastructure for walking, wheeling, and cycling. These efforts align with Leeds City Council’s Vision Zero strategy, which aims to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries by 2040.

Schools included in the scheme

• Elements Primary School, Middleton
• Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy, Middleton
• Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School and College, Halton Moor
• Corpus Christi Catholic College, Halton Moor
• Temple Learning Academy, Halton Moor
• Meadowfield Primary School, Halton Moor

Proposed improvements

• Widening of pavements and paths to improve safety and accessibility
• Minor junction realignments and other junction improvements
• Installation of formal and informal pedestrian crossing points
• Provision of bollards to protect pavements and enforce parking restrictions
• Enhanced street lighting

Funding and partnership

The project is supported by a £750,000 grant from Active Travel England’s Active Travel Fund 5 (ATF5) and is delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Public involvement

Residents, parents, pupils, school staff, and other road users are encouraged to share their views on the proposals before the consultation closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday 18 February 2026. Feedback can be provided in several ways:

• Completing an online survey available on the Leeds City Council website
• Attending one of three drop-in events to view proposals and speak with project representatives:
  • Tuesday 3 February, 3-7pm at Starlight Dance Academy (Studio 2), 41 Rookwood Road, Osmondthorpe, LS9 0NJ
  • Thursday 5 February, 3-7pm at Middleton Leisure Centre (Gascoigne Suite), Ring Road Middleton, LS10 4AX
  • Wednesday 11 February, 3-7pm at Corpus Christi Catholic Club (Function Room), Halton Moor Avenue, Halton Moor, LS9 0HB
• Requesting a paper survey by contacting the council via email or phone and returning it by freepost

For more information or to request a paper survey, contact Leeds City Council at connectingleeds@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 336 8868.