News

Today, Rachel visited the site of a proposed new footbridge over the River Aire that would connect Kirkstall and Armley. The site, currently undergoing tests, would see a bridge connect Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve with the St Ann’s Mills site.

Rachel, along with Kirkstall Councillors John Illingworth and Bernard Atha, was able to inspect the works and talk with representatives from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Leeds Canoe Club about the plans.

Of the proposed bridge, Rachel said, “this bridge would play a major part in creating a walking and cycle route all the way from the city centre to Kirkstall Forge, a project that is very close to my heart”.

The Council are currently in talks with a number of potential sources to find the funding for the bridge. This would allow people from all over Leeds to visit the small pocket of nature that has been cultivated at the Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve. This site, open twenty four hours a day and seven days a week, is currently hidden away at the end of Redcote Lane which makes it difficult for Leeds residents to access it.

Rachel added, “these sorts of initiatives are bringing the communities of West Leeds closer together, and I’m doing all I can to support them”.