New speed limits along the Stanningley bypass and Horsforth outer ring road are expected to come into force around Autumn, Leeds City Council confirmed.
Plans for a reduction from 70mph and 60mph to a continuous 50mph were approved during a review of current speed limits across West Yorkshire.
As well as the reduced speed limit, the first permanent average-speed cameras in West Yorkshire will be installed along these stretches of road.
The average speed cameras will be found on the A6120 Outer Ring Road and the A647 Stanningley Bypass.
These cameras will be put in place in autumn 2023.
It is part of a wider strategy created by the West Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership, a group made up of local authorities and police.
Following the review, Stanningley bypass and Horsforth outer ring road are now seen as ‘high risk’ locations due to speed-related casualties and clear evidence of speeding.
A number of councillors had expressed their support to take action over what was branded a “dangerous” stretch of road.
In March, Cllr Andrew Carter CBE (Calverley & Farsley, Conservative) said the council “must act on this stretch of road now”.
Meanwhile Cllr Peter Carlill (Calverley and Farsley Ward, Labour) said: “Areas of the ring road and bypass are dangerous for all road users, serious accidents are all too common, and fatalities in the area have been devastating.
“Some areas are prone to dangerous and illegal driving which are a hazard and nuisance to local residents.”
The Council’s consultation on speed reduction plans received a 62 per cent positive response.
In contrast, a previous T&A reader poll found 59 per cent of T&A readers did not support plans for a 50mph speed limit.
Cllr Helen Hayden, executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said: “Alongside our Leeds Vision Zero 2040 Strategy, the Partnership’s new strategic approach to enforcement, signage and speed management allows us to ensure that our neighbourhoods and roads in Leeds are safe for all.
“We have a bold ambition of having zero deaths on Leeds roads by 2040.
“ A more flexible approach to deploying safety cameras is something both ward councillors and I have been requesting for a while. It allows Leeds greater local responsibility in addressing safety concerns in our areas.”
Paul Jeffrey, West Yorkshire Police’s lead for the West Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership, said: “Excessive or inappropriate speed is a common factor in many collisions. Encouraging safe speeds across the road network to prevent speed-related collisions is key to achieving our Vision Zero ambition.
“West Yorkshire Police remains committed to working with partners to prevent avoidable deaths and serious injuries on our road network.”
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