Pavement widening barriers for social distancing installed across Leeds

The barriers will be put in place to make sure people can walk around the city and enter shops with at least two metres distance between them.

It is part of Leeds City Council's plans to protect public health as lockdown restrictions are lifted.

The scheme has already been rolled out across Leeds city centre and installation work began in Leeds suburbs on Tuesday, May 26.

In Morley, 100 metre barriers have been installed along Albion Street.

In Armley, 100 metre barriers will be installed along Branch Road.

Chapel Allerton will see 150 metre barriers installed along the A61 Harrogate Road.

In Otley, 100 metre barriers will be installed along Kirkgate and Boroughgate.

Leeds City Council said that more social distancing measures will be rolled out in other areas "over the coming weeks."

New narrow bridge crossing signs are also being created to warn and prompt people to keep left when walking to cross over narrow bridges.

The measures have been introduced following consultation with local ward councillors.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, said: "It is essential for us to support people to safely get out and about on foot in their town centres and neighbourhoods.

"Wider footways will make it possible for people to safely access workplaces if they cannot work from home or schools for those children who are returning to their school setting, for exercise and to make essential journeys to other facilities like food shops or pharmacies.

"As the government continues to announce further plans to ease out of the lockdown, we’re prioritising action locally to promote walking and cycling.

"These measures will not only enable people to move around safely now, but will contribute to a sustained lowering of our carbon footprint, help to maintain improvements in air quality and improve the health of our residents for the longer term."

Leeds City Council has also launched an interactive website to share details of planned measures and to enable residents to have their say.

People can make suggestions by visiting the Commonplace website.

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