Armley Gyratory: 11 pictures show stages of transformation as Leeds council confirms re-opening delay

Alex Grant
·2-min read
Since 8pm Monday, July 24 there has been daily night-time partial closures around the Armley Gyratory for surfacing works. (Photo: James Hardisty)
Since 8pm Monday, July 24 there has been daily night-time partial closures around the Armley Gyratory for surfacing works. (Photo: James Hardisty)

The Armley Gyratory is a key junction on the Inner Ring Road to the west of Leeds city centre. It is a major entry/exit point for traffic travelling through and into the city with an estimated 100,000 vehicles passing through it daily (pre Covid-19). In March 2021, following extensive public consultation and feedback, plans were finalised to develop and improve the key route.

Since July 2023, there has been daily night-time partial closures around the Gyratory for surfacing works. The works mark a significant milestone towards phase one construction completion, which last week Leeds City Council confirmed completion of which has been delayed until September. These photographs, taken by Yorkshire Evening Post photographer James Hardisty, showcase the stages of the transformation...

The road re-opens during the daytime with 30mph speed limits and other traffic management measures in place to allow improvements to be carried out safely. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The road re-opens during the daytime with 30mph speed limits and other traffic management measures in place to allow improvements to be carried out safely. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The works were expected to be completed by Thursday (August 24) but following recent bad weather Leeds council confirmed re-opening is unlikely to come until September at the earliest.
The works were expected to be completed by Thursday (August 24) but following recent bad weather Leeds council confirmed re-opening is unlikely to come until September at the earliest.
The latest round of roadworks both on the Gyratory and on the Stanningley Bypass were planned to coincide with reduced levels of traffic during the school summer holidays. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The latest round of roadworks both on the Gyratory and on the Stanningley Bypass were planned to coincide with reduced levels of traffic during the school summer holidays. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The Armley Gyratory works are progressing well on the highways phase of the scheme, including widening of the central gyratory and entry island approaches, which links to creating additional lane capacity. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The Armley Gyratory works are progressing well on the highways phase of the scheme, including widening of the central gyratory and entry island approaches, which links to creating additional lane capacity. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The next steps are to construct the carriageway pavement/widening build-up, complete the underground drainage, install traffic signals and new street lighting. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The next steps are to construct the carriageway pavement/widening build-up, complete the underground drainage, install traffic signals and new street lighting. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The ongoing works are described as particularly complex and have been segmented into seven parts, as work progresses clockwise around the gyratory, with a total of 19 phases of activity. (Photo: James Hardisty)
The ongoing works are described as particularly complex and have been segmented into seven parts, as work progresses clockwise around the gyratory, with a total of 19 phases of activity. (Photo: James Hardisty)
Current works include planning the existing carriageway, ironworks, laying binder, tarmac surfacing and associated white lining. (Photo: James Hardisty)
Current works include planning the existing carriageway, ironworks, laying binder, tarmac surfacing and associated white lining. (Photo: James Hardisty)
A Leeds City Council spokesperson, said:
Due to the challenging ground conditions, the highways phase of works is due to complete by winter 2023/24. Phase two of these works includes structural improvements to several footbridges around the gyratory. (Photo: James Hardisty)
Due to the challenging ground conditions, the highways phase of works is due to complete by winter 2023/24. Phase two of these works includes structural improvements to several footbridges around the gyratory. (Photo: James Hardisty)
Despite the Gyratory delay, Leeds council recently confirmed the successful reopening of both the Eastbound A647 Stanningley Bypass and Harewood Bridge, following respective closures. (Photo: James Hardisty)
Despite the Gyratory delay, Leeds council recently confirmed the successful reopening of both the Eastbound A647 Stanningley Bypass and Harewood Bridge, following respective closures. (Photo: James Hardisty)