Shopping centre link road is delayed

BAD WEATHER and mine workings have led to delays on a new link road near a new shopping centre.

Thorpe Park shopping centre is set to open next week, but a stretch of road by the site is not expected to be completed until December.

The building of the Manston Lane Link Road, which forms part of the East Leeds orbital road, had been expected to be ready alongside the new shopping centre. But a Leeds City Council report claims weather and the discovery of old mines have led to delays.

It said: “Construction of the Manston Lane Link Road is now very advanced and it is understood the applicant is working hard to ensure the road is open as soon as possible.

“However, it is clear that some of the initial delays with the road project are such that the opening date which was given to retailers who signed up to the scheme early on will now be missed.

This date is the October 11, 2018 and is thus slightly before the full opening of the Manston Lane Link Road.”

Coun Peter Gruen (Lab), one of the council’s deputy executive members, said: “We have been very supportive of the Manston Lane link road scheme in Thorpe Park for years.

“There have been some delays, I understand why the delays have occurred. I have been given a number of dates the road will be completed, the latest is December 7.”

Coun Gruen said he was happy with public transport to the shopping centre, adding: “I think the rail station at Thorpe Park will be an important piece of infrastructure.”

The meeting was told there will also be 10 buses an hour running between Thorpe Park and Leeds city centre.