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)
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 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 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 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)
A Leeds City Council spokesperson, said: "Improvement works to the Armley Gyratory started on 24 July are progressing well on the complex process of new surfacing. Unfortunately, due to the wet weather, the most recent being the rain on Friday night (18 August) where no work could take place, the works are now expected to complete on 31 August, with the roads reopening on 1 September. But this is still very much weather dependent."
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)
A couple who quit the UK to retire early in Lanzarote say they are now "living the dream" mortgage-free in the sun. Helen and Stephen Walker decided to take the plunge after a horrid year in which three people close to them died. They quit their property business, sold their three-bed semi in Cosby, Leics., and relocated to Yaiza, a town on the Canary island. Helen, 56, and Stephen, 55, are now financially free and spend their days exploring and relaxing. They say they'd never have been able to retire in the UK at their age - but life is much cheaper in Lanzarote. Helen said: “We’re living the dream. We never got a break at home. “We could never afford to take early retirement in the UK." Helen and Stephen rarely went on holiday as they were self-employed. And, even when they were away, they’d be answering phone calls and messages. But one year Helen convinced Stephen to come away on holiday to Lanzarote 0 and they fell in love with the place. She said: “We came to Lanzarote and loved it so much. “We were walking straight out to sea and he turned around and said 'I could live here'. “I said I could live here as well.” With Brexit in motion, Helen and Stephen then had to act fast if they wanted their dream to become a reality. They became more determined to go for it after losing three friends and family members in one year. Helen said: “We lost three people in that year. We thought 'We need to do it now. “We can’t think about the kids here – we’re going before grandchildren. Otherwise we’d never do it.” They found it hard to leave their children behind but their youngest daughter, Kate Walker, now 22, went to live with their son James Sorrell, 29. Helen said: “We put the house on the market. “In December 2019 we travelled all down the island looking at where we wanted to live. “We found a newbuild in Yaiza and thought ‘this is the place’.” The couple sold their UK home for £225k, and bought the three-bedroom Lanzarote property for £220k. They moved out in January 2020 and purchased the empty property in February – before lockdown hit in March. Helen said: “Luckily we had the kitchen done before lockdown.”. The pair have since spent around €40k renovating their home in Lanzarote – and have no mortgage and low bills. They were shedding out £650-a-month on a mortgage, and £230 for their gas, electric and water bills in the UK. Helen said: “There’s no mortgage and no finance. It’s a lot cheaper here to live. I could never retire in the UK.” The retired couple spend their days going on walks around the island, going for a coffee and lunch together and having chilled evenings in front of the TV. They go out for food or drinks when friends are visiting and around once a week together. Helen said: “Our fitness is fantastic. We do 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. “We travel around the island. We can travel from one end of the island to the other in 45 minutes. “My view is the Timanfaya national park. The language barrier is a problem sometimes but we’re learning Spanish.” Helen has “no regrets” but does miss her kids. She said: “It’s just lovely but I miss my children. Taking my kids to the airport after a visit is the hardest thing. “I cry and cry. But we’re only a four hour flight away.” Helen said Lanzarote has now become a home for the couple. She said: “We’re never bored. There’s always something to do. This is my home.”
Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava apologised to Rory McIlroy before Sunday's Ryder Cup singles for his behaviour on Saturday which enraged the European star, according to US media reports.The American had also brushed off media reports that he was protesting against the lack of pay for players at the Ryder Cup by not wearing a cap.
Rory McIlroy was at the centre of a furious row as emotions boiled over at the Ryder Cup in Rome.McIlroy and teammate Matt Fitzpatrick lost their fourball match to Patrick Cantlay’s dramatic long putt on the 18th green, and the Northern Irishman was visibly unhappy with Cantlay’s caddie, Joe lacava, who celebrated wildly towards European fans who had been teasing his player all day, and the two had tense words as they shook hands.Sky Sports Golf
