Balfour Beatty has announced that it has been appointed by Leeds City Council as the sole contractor responsible for delivering the Leeds Inner Ring Road Strategy, a seven-year programme of maintenance, asset renewal and major structural improvements designed to safeguard one of the city’s most critical transport arteries for decades to come.
The works, valued at up to £120 million over the seven-year period, will be procured and delivered via the Leeds Contractors Major Works Framework, to which Balfour Beatty was appointed in 2023.
Under the strategy, the company will undertake a comprehensive programme of annual planned maintenance and major structural interventions across the 2.5 mile route, which carries over 83,000 vehicles per day and comprises more than 135 structures including bridges, tunnels and extensive retaining walls.
Alongside the planned maintenance programme, Balfour Beatty will deliver targeted strengthening and refurbishment to priority assets, including design and build packages to extend the life of four bridges and viaducts, as well as three tunnels and one footbridge.
Balfour Beatty will work closely with Leeds City Council and its design and engineering partners through Early Contractor Involvement, to develop its approach to construction methodology, sequencing, logistics and buildability within a tightly constrained urban environment.
Once complete, the Leeds Inner Ring Road Strategy, will ensure the Inner Ring Road remains safe, serviceable and reliable for users, supporting Leeds’ transport strategy, active travel ambitions and future mass transit plans, while maintaining vital traffic flows across the city.
Nick Crossfield, Balfour Beatty Divisional CEO for UK Defence, Power & Regional Infrastructure,said: “We are proud to be entrusted to deliver a long-term strategy to protect a route that is fundamental to the economy of Leeds and the wider region.
“Our team has meticulously planned every stage alongside Leeds City Council, to ensure that we can deliver safely, efficiently and to the highest standards, working hand in hand with our valued supply chain partners.”
Councillor Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said: “The Inner Ring Road plays a vital role in keeping Leeds moving, carrying more than 80,000 vehicles a day. This major investment in planned maintenance will ensure the route remains fit for the future, while supporting our wider Connecting Leeds strategy to manage traffic more effectively and create a more people-focused city centre.
“We recognise that there will be some temporary disruption, however by taking a planned, long-term approach now, we are reducing the risk of unplanned closures and disruption in the future, protecting connectivity for residents, businesses and visitors across the city.
“This work is essential to support Leeds’ continued growth, improve resilience across our transport network, and enable future investment in public transport, walking and cycling.” Maintenance works will commence immediately, with the major structural interventions commencing in 2027. The full programme of works, including maintenance and the design and build of new assets, will complete in 2032.
