Skyline

Works will begin in May 2008 to transform the tunnel by the end of the year. To achieve the ambitious scheme, Holbeck Urban Village, a partnership between Leeds City Council and Yorkshire Forward, is drawing on the combined talents of leading architects, engineers, artists and acoustic experts in a bid to improve lighting, reduce traffic noise and alter perceptions about the safety of the tunnel.

Leeds City Council has committed £2m to the improvements, in partnership with Yorkshire Forward (£1.95m) and in conjunction with Northern Way (£646.000). As the single street that services traffic from Holbeck, Beeston and the M621 motorway, Neville Street is a main connector for residents, commuters and visitors to the city. The scheme aims to re-establish this vital road to make it safe and welcoming, for the benefit of the local community, including residents, local businesses, their employees and clients and visitors to the city. 

The proposed benefits include:
• Reduced noise levels in the tunnel
• Enhanced lighting for pedestrians and road users
• Improved sense of personal safety and security in the tunnel
• Creating a welcoming and impressive entrance to the city of Leeds

Leeds City Council has commissioned Leeds-based Bauman Lyons Architects and Arup Acoustics to tackle the noise, darkness and lack of security identified in consultation with members of the public.

Neville Street as it is now

The scheme aims to upgrade the tunnel using innovative engineering and acoustic techniques, including sound-absorbing wall-panels and a new lighting scheme. The improvements will also widen the current footpaths by a total of 1.25m (0.75m on the west wall and 0.5m on the east wall) making it a safer environment for people with disabilities to move along the street.

Robust, graffiti-resistant, anodised aluminium wall panels will contain an innovative sound-absorbing material called QuietStone, used in the Channel Tunnel and the London Underground to manage sound-levels.

A new lighting scheme incorporating thousands of LEDs, will improve light levels in the tunnel. Pre-programmed to change daily, the LED display will also enhance the aesthetic experience of the tunnel for users. An audio installation will be created to soften the traffic noise experienced in the tunnel. A complimentary lighting scheme installed on the west wall, will subtly remind drivers to watch their speed, whilst improving security in the tunnel by contributing to a lighter, brighter environment added to existing CCTV cameras at either end of the tunnel.

Also, art students in Leeds are being offered a chance of creating temporary public artworks that compliment and enhance the area around the tunnel - the main gateway into Leeds city centre.

Four bursaries have been awarded to students from local art colleges and universities, enabling them to work with the pioneering design team involved in using sound and light art to transform Neville Street .

One of those students is Andrea Fitzpatrick, who works with photography, video, sound and drawing. Her winning proposal focused on recording the stories of journeys made by Leeds residents and creating a sound piece which aims to make the audience become more aware of their audio and physical environment. Andrea's installation will be available by tuning into a set frequency via mobile radios.

Can you spare a few minutes of your time to regale Andrea with your tales of your journeys - be it commuting into Leeds, travelling in and out of the city and stories from people who have come from abroad to live in Leeds? If you can, please contact her via email: