New £50m ring road opens to cars

The final section of a new £50m inner ring road designed to reduce congestion in Leeds has been opened to traffic.

The stretch of road in the south of the city links the entire ring road with junction four of the M621 motorway.

Leeds City Council said the road would "vastly improve" travel times and relieve congestion in Hunslet and Holbeck, as well as the city centre.

Work on the ring road started in May 2006. Its principal feature is the 500m (1,640ft) John Smeaton viaduct.

The structure, named after the renowned civil engineer, is made up of steel beams and weighs 2,200 tonnes. It stretches from the River Aire to Jack Lane.

Councillor Andrew Carter, executive member for development and regeneration, said: "Now we will see thousands of motorists benefiting on a daily basis from free-flowing traffic around Leeds as well as allowing scope for further public transport improvements.

"Not only will it relieve pressure from city centre streets and congestion in surrounding areas, but the enhanced road network will help attract further development and investment in the city as part of the city's regeneration."