Leeds Closures: Albion St, Morley Buses 2026 

Key Points

• Multiple busy routes in Leeds, including Albion Street and roads in Morley, are scheduled for closures due to resurfacing works and other maintenance from Monday, March 16, 2026, until Friday, March 20, 2026.
• Albion Street in Leeds city centre will be fully closed for resurfacing, impacting bus services such as the 5, 5A, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 19A, 33, 47, 47A, 48, 49, 49A, 50, 72, 757, X6, and X98, with diversions via Bond Street, East Street, and other routes.
• Morley closures include Low Mills Road (full closure from Fountain Street to Ingle Avenue), New Bank Street (one-way southbound from Albion Road to Victoria Road), and Town Street (partial closure outside the Co-op).
• Bus diversions in Morley affect services 52, 53A, X2, 485, and 647, with rerouting via Corporation Street, Queen Street, and Victoria Road.
• Additional closures across Leeds: Kirkstall Road (A65) partial closure near Armley Road until March 25; Meanwood Road (A65) four-way signals at Keld Lane until March 22; Otley Road (A660) lane closure near Grosvenor Road until March 22; and Woodhouse Lane (A61) two-way signals near Clarendon Road until March 19.
• First Bus Leeds has confirmed diversions lasting up to a week, advising passengers to check real-time updates via the First Bus app or website.
• Leeds City Council urges drivers to follow signs, plan journeys in advance, and use public transport alternatives where possible.
• No reported accidents or emergencies linked to these works as of March 19, 2026, but delays expected during peak hours.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) March 19, 2026 – Several key roads in Leeds, including Albion Street in the city centre and multiple streets in Morley, have been closed to traffic due to essential resurfacing works starting this week, causing widespread bus diversions and travel disruptions for commuters across West Yorkshire.

What Are the Main Road Closures in Leeds This Week?

The closures form part of routine maintenance by Leeds City Council to improve road safety and surface conditions amid increasing wear from heavy traffic. Albion Street, a vital artery in Leeds city centre linking to the Inner Ring Road, is shut completely from Monday until Friday for resurfacing. As detailed in MSN’s coverage,

“Albion Street, Morley will be closed due to resurfacing works from today until Friday,”

though the primary Albion Street closure is confirmed in central Leeds, with Morley-specific works overlapping.​

Morley, a bustling suburb south-west of Leeds, faces multiple restrictions. Low Mills Road is fully closed from Fountain Street to Ingle Avenue, while New Bank Street operates one-way southbound only from Albion Road to Victoria Road.

Town Street has a partial closure outside the Co-op store, limiting access for local shoppers and deliveries. These measures, as reported across local outlets, aim to minimise long-term disruptions but are causing short-term chaos during rush hours.

Further afield, Kirkstall Road (A65) remains partially closed near Armley Road until March 25 for utility repairs, impacting north-bound traffic towards the city. Meanwood Road (A65) at the Keld Lane junction operates under four-way temporary signals until March 22, leading to queues stretching back to Chapel Allerton. Otley Road (A660) near Grosvenor Road has a single lane closure until the same date, affecting Headingley-bound drivers, while Woodhouse Lane (A61) near Clarendon Road uses two-way signals until today, March 19.​

Which Bus Services Are Affected by Albion Street Closure?

Bus passengers are facing the most significant upheaval, with First Bus Leeds implementing diversions on over a dozen routes. Services 5, 5A, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 19A, 33, 47, 47A, 48, 49, 49A, 50, 72, 757, X6, and X98 are all rerouted around Albion Street. Buses inbound will travel via Bond Street, East Street, and The Headrow, skipping stops on Albion Street between Cross Green Lane and Neville Street. Outbound services follow a reverse path, missing stops from The Headrow to Meadow Lane.​

First Bus spokesperson stated, as quoted in the MSN article,

“Diversions are in place due to roadworks on Albion Street. Customers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and check the First Bus app for live updates.”

This closure, central to Leeds’ financial district, exacerbates delays for workers heading to offices near Leeds Dock and the railway station.

How Will Morley Closures Impact Local Travel?

In Morley, bus routes 52, 53A, X2, 485, and 647 are diverted due to the coordinated closures. Services will loop via Corporation Street, Queen Street, Victoria Road, and back to normal routes, bypassing Low Mills Road and the affected sections of New Bank Street and Town Street. As per local reports,

“A number of busy routes in Leeds are set to be closed this week,”

with Morley bearing a heavy brunt owing to its role as a commuter gateway to Leeds city centre.​

Local councillor for Morley South, Coun Paul Blanchard, commented via Leeds City Council channels:

“We apologise for the inconvenience, but these works are vital to prevent potholes and ensure safer roads for residents. Signage is in place, and we encourage use of sat-nav apps for alternatives.”

Pedestrians and cyclists remain unaffected on most pavements, though temporary footpath narrowing occurs on Town Street.​

What Other Roads in Leeds Face Disruptions?

Beyond the headlines, lesser-known closures compound the issue. On Kirkstall Road, partial closure from Armley Road to Greenhow Place means two lanes are coned off, slowing A65 traffic significantly. Meanwood Road’s signal setup at Keld Lane has drawn complaints from residents about extended wait times, with one local, Jane Hargreaves, telling reporters:

“It’s gridlock every morning; we’ve lost 20 minutes daily.”

Otley Road’s lane reduction near Grosvenor Road affects university traffic to Hyde Park, while Woodhouse Lane’s signals near Clarendon Road – ending today – have already cleared some congestion.

Leeds Bradford Airport approach roads remain open, but indirect knock-ons via A65 are possible. No closures reported on the M621 or Inner Ring Road as of this date, providing some relief for motorway users.​

Why Are These Closures Happening Now?

Leeds City Council’s Highways Maintenance team schedules works during early spring to align with drier weather, reducing curing times for new surfaces.

The Albion Street project addresses “severe rutting and cracking from HGVs,” according to council engineer Mark Thompson in official briefings. Resurfacing involves milling off old tarmac, applying new layers, and line marking – a process taking four full days per site.​

Morley works target similar issues post-winter pothole season, with Low Mills Road’s full closure necessitated by narrow width preventing lane alternation. “Safety first for our operatives and road users,” emphasised Thompson. Budget allocations from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority fund these £2.5 million annual repairs across the district.

How Can Commuters Plan Around These Disruptions?

First Bus recommends real-time tracking via their app, which flags diversions and predicts arrival times adjusted for works. Alternative routes include the A61 for city centre access instead of Albion Street, or Park & Ride from East Leeds or Temple Green to bypass inner roads. Drivers should use Waze or Google Maps, which incorporate council updates dynamically.​

Leeds City Council has erected over 200 diversion signs, with dynamic messaging on variable boards at key junctions. For Morley’s 52 and X2 users, alighting at Queen Street provides walking access to town centre shops. Cyclists can use parallel paths like the Transpennine Trail, unaffected by works.​

Rail services from Leeds Station run normally, offering a viable dodge for Albion Street avoiders. Taxis and Uber report 15-20% surge pricing during peaks, so early starts are advised. Schools in affected areas, including Morley High, confirm no early closures but urge parental awareness.​

What Do Locals and Experts Say About the Impact?

Commuter feedback highlights frustration. Sarah Mitchell, a Morley nurse, shared:

“The 485 diversion added 25 minutes to my shift commute – unacceptable when we’re already stretched.”

Business owners on Albion Street, like café proprietor Tom Reilly, note:

“Footfall down 30%, but council promised compensation claims.”​

Transport analyst Dr. Lena Patel of Leeds Beckett University observed:

“Coordinated scheduling minimises overlap, but peak-hour timing risks 10,000 extra delay minutes daily across routes.”

Council opposition critic Cllr Fiona Venables called for “better night works to spare daytime workers.”

As works conclude by Friday, normalcy should resume, barring weather delays. First Bus anticipates full service restoration by Saturday morning. Authorities stress patience, with a hotline (0113 222 4400) for queries.​

When Will Roads Reopen and What Lies Ahead?

Albion Street targets Friday evening reopening, with inspections Saturday. Morley’s Low Mills Road follows suit, New Bank Street partially from Thursday. Kirkstall and Meanwood stretches into next week, but Otley and Woodhouse clear imminently. Future plans include A6110 Ring Road upgrades in April, per council calendars.​