Leeds Bus Diversions: Woodhouse Lane Out Until Further Notice

Key Points

• Bus stop 45010914 (Merrion C) on Woodhouse Lane is out of use from Friday, January 16 until further notice due to ongoing works, with services diverting to Headrow M (45010918) and Headrow N (45010920) on Albion Street.
• Park Parade will be closed for resurfacing works from Monday, January 26 to Friday, January 30, between 9am and 3pm each day, affecting service 62 which is diverting via Pontefract Lane.
• Pudsey Road at Gamble Hill Drive remains closed due to gas works until Friday, January 30.
• In Leeds city centre, service PR1 continues not to serve stop 45025848 (Wellington N) on Whitehall Road until further notice due to ongoing pedestrian works.
• Long-term disruption to Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass is expected to remain in place until early 2027.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) January 26, 2026 – Commuters in Leeds face multiple bus disruptions as key stops and roads undergo essential maintenance works, with the Woodhouse Lane bus stop 45010914 (Merrion C) remaining out of service until further notice. Services are rerouting to alternative stops on Headrow M (45010918) and Headrow N (45010920) along Albion Street during these ongoing operations. Additional closures on Park Parade, Pudsey Road, Whitehall Road, and long-term issues at Dawsons Corner are compounding travel challenges across the city.​

What Caused the Woodhouse Lane Stop Closure?

The primary disruption stems from ongoing works on Woodhouse Lane, rendering bus stop 45010914 (Merrion C) out of use specifically from Friday, January 16 until further notice, as reported in coverage by Alex Grant of the Yorkshire Evening Post. Services affected by this closure are utilising bus stops Headrow M 45010918 and Headrow N 45010920 on Albion Street to maintain routes through the area. This follows earlier reporting by Alex Grant of the Yorkshire Evening Post on the initial Woodhouse Lane closure impacting Leeds bus timetables.​

Local transport authorities have not specified the exact nature of the works beyond “ongoing,” but the indefinite timeline suggests significant infrastructure repairs or upgrades are underway. Commuters are advised to check real-time updates via First Bus or West Yorkshire Metro apps for the latest diversion details.​

How Is Park Parade Affecting Bus Routes?

Park Parade faces closure due to resurfacing works from Monday, January 26 to Friday, January 30, operating between 9am and 3pm each day, according to Alex Grant’s reporting in the Yorkshire Evening Post. Service 62 is diverting via Pontefract Lane to bypass the affected section. This temporary measure aims to improve road safety and surface quality in the East End Park area, with prior coverage by Alex Grant detailing the initial announcement.​

Drivers and bus users in the vicinity should anticipate delays during peak hours, as the daytime restrictions align with high commuter traffic. Alternative routes like Pontefract Lane are expected to handle additional volume without major backups, though monitoring via traffic apps is recommended.​

Why Is Pudsey Road Still Closed?

Pudsey Road at Gamble Hill Drive remains closed due to gas works and will stay so until Friday, January 30, as noted by Alex Grant of the Yorkshire Evening Post. This ongoing closure is part of essential utility maintenance, prioritising public safety amid potential risks from underground operations. No specific service diversions were detailed for this site in the latest update, but local buses may experience knock-on delays.​

Residents and travellers in the Pudsey area have dealt with this disruption for weeks, highlighting the extended impact of gas infrastructure projects on daily commutes. Network Rail and utility firms often coordinate such works to minimise long-term inconvenience, though the January 30 deadline provides a clear end date.​

Which City Centre Services Are Impacted?

In Leeds city centre, service PR1 continues to not serve stop 45025848 (Wellington N) on Whitehall Road until further notice due to ongoing pedestrian works, per reporting from Alex Grant in the Yorkshire Evening Post. This persistent diversion underscores the focus on enhancing footpath accessibility and safety in a busy thoroughfare. Earlier coverage by Alex Grant detailed the initial effects on bus timetables from these Whitehall Road works.​

Passengers are directed to nearby alternative stops, though exact replacements were not specified in the update. The city centre’s high footfall amplifies the inconvenience, particularly for those reliant on PR1 for quick links across key districts.​

What Are the Long-Term Disruptions at Dawsons Corner?

Long-term disruption to Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass is expected to persist until early 2027, as outlined by Alex Grant of the Yorkshire Evening Post. This major project involves fresh closures on Bradford Road, addressing chronic congestion and safety issues at this notorious junction. Full details from Alex Grant’s prior reporting emphasise the scale of works aimed at modernising the bypass infrastructure.​

Motorists and bus operators face phased restrictions, with potential for further diversions as construction advances. Local councils urge patience, citing long-term benefits like reduced journey times and improved flow once completed.​

How Are Commuters Advised to Cope?

Authorities recommend planning journeys in advance, utilising real-time tracking tools from First Bus and Metro, and considering alternative transport modes like Park & Ride or cycling schemes. As reported across Yorkshire Evening Post updates by Alex Grant, no major cancellations have been announced, only diversions to ensure service continuity. Park & Ride options from locations like Lawnswood and York Road remain fully operational as viable city centre alternatives.​

For those affected by Woodhouse Lane changes, the shift to Headrow stops minimises walking distances while maintaining network integrity. Similarly, Pontefract Lane for service 62 offers a straightforward detour during Park Parade works.​

Who Is Responsible for These Works?

Leeds City Council and partnering utilities like gas providers oversee the various projects, with West Yorkshire Combined Authority coordinating bus impacts. Alex Grant of the Yorkshire Evening Post has consistently attributed updates to official transport body statements, ensuring accurate timelines. No direct quotes from council spokespeople were included in the primary coverage, but ongoing monitoring by journalists like Grant fills informational gaps.​

Resurfacing at Park Parade falls under highways maintenance, while gas works at Pudsey Road involve national firms regulated by Ofgem. Pedestrian enhancements on Whitehall Road align with broader accessibility initiatives funded locally.​

When Will Normal Service Resume?

Most disruptions have defined end dates: Park Parade by January 30, Pudsey Road by January 30, while Woodhouse Lane, Whitehall Road, and Dawsons Corner remain indefinite or long-term until early 2027. Alex Grant’s Yorkshire Evening Post articles provide the baseline for these timelines, cross-referenced across related stories. Passengers should subscribe to Metro alerts for any accelerations or extensions.​

Winter weather could influence progress, though current mild conditions in Leeds support steady advancement. Historical patterns show such works rarely overrun significantly once deadlines are publicised.​

Why Do These Disruptions Matter to Leeds?

Leeds, as a bustling economic hub, relies heavily on its bus network for over 200,000 daily journeys, making even short-term diversions felt widely. Low-income commuters without car access are disproportionately affected, exacerbating inequalities in transport equity. Coverage by Alex Grant highlights how clustered works amplify city-wide delays, urging better planning from authorities.​

Businesses near affected stops report dips in footfall, while remote workers benefit from flexible options. The story underscores the tension between necessary infrastructure upgrades and immediate commuter needs in a growing metropolis.​

What Alternatives Exist for Affected Routes?

Diversions form the core response: Headrow for Woodhouse Lane services, Pontefract Lane for 62, and skips for PR1 on Whitehall. Rail links from Leeds Station offer parallels for longer trips, with Northern and LNER services running smoothly. Cycling via the Superloop network or e-scooters provide green alternatives amid road closures.​

Demand-responsive buses via Metro’s apps fill gaps for vulnerable groups. Car-sharing via Liftshare reduces private vehicle pressure on detours.​