Climate charity unveils visions of Leeds with fewer cars created with local residents
Climate charity Possible has unveiled a vision of Tempest Road in south Leeds reimagined as a people-friendly, climate-conscious environment with fewer cars. The vision will also be placed on a billboard at the junction where Tempest Road meets Beeston Road.
Almost four years ago a climate emergency was declared in Leeds. It is essential that we move away from private car use to help reach our climate targets, and by retrofitting public spaces and transport and mobility systems we can also help create healthier, safer streets and neighbourhoods for our communities to thrive.
In winter 2022, Possible talked to people who live, work and shop in south Leeds about what they would want to see change on Elland Road and Tempest Road. After holding two workshops with 7 residents from diverse backgrounds to shape the vision, and interviewing a panel of experts, Possible went on to envision these spaces free from car dependency.
Last night, Possible unveiled both of these visions to the public with residents, the wider public, campaigners and local councillors all present to show them what the future could look like, discuss how we could get there, and the impacts such changes would have on people’s lives and on the climate.
South Leeds sees some of the worst air quality in the city. Our workshop participants helped re-imagine Tempest Road, which connects two very busy main roads (Beeston Road and Dewsbury Road (A653)) and Elland Road (A643), which sees tens of thousands of people walk and drive up and down it regularly.
The think tank Fare City, produced a report outlining conclusions from expert interviews which informed the workshops with residents, and the final visions.
Possible is calling on local authorities and the public to use these visions so they can be bolder in reimagining the future of their cities and take action to address car dominance.
Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Car Free Cities at climate charity Possible, said:
“I’m thrilled to unveil these community-led visions for the future of Tempest Road and Elland Road. In order to meet our climate goals, it’s essential that we get people driving less. That shouldn’t make us feel trepidation but excitement. And these visions embody that excitement. They are green, vibrant, and allow a diverse range of people to travel easily and would give the people of Leeds more travel options, not fewer. Our cities have the potential to be wonderful places to live and tools to combat climate change - let’s make that change.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Images of the billboard and car free visions can be found HERE.
Please find the Fare City report HERE.
For media enquiries and further information please contact press@wearepossible.org or 07806431577.
Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Car Free Cities at climate charity Possible, is available for comment. Please contact press@wearepossible.org for more information.
Possible is a UK-based charity that brings people together to take positive, practical action on climate change. Combining individual and local actions with larger systemic change, we connect people with each other, and communities with ways to address the climate crisis. wearepossible.org.
Fare City is an award-winning London-based think tank and social enterprise. Our mission is to co-create fairer cities through the promotion of more accessible, equitable and sustainable city transport. Our team of built environment professionals uses an evidence-based approach which strives to empower city users to make reasoned mobility choices which are right for them and others. farecity.org.