Leeds Park Row Closures 2026 Bus Gate

Key Points

• Temporary road closures are scheduled for Park Row in Leeds between Russell Street and Infirmary Street from Monday, April 27 to Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
• The closure will operate from 11:45 pm until 5:00 am each night, affecting vehicle movement through the Park Row corridor.
• Leeds City Council has set out a signed diversion route directing traffic via Bedford Street, East Parade and Infirmary Street.
• During the closure period, the Infirmary Street bus gate between King Street and Park Row will be suspended and will be available for use by all traffic.
• Buses on route 24 and other services will follow adjusted routes, with Service 24 diverted via Albion Street, The Headrow, Vicar Lane, New Market Street, Duncan Street and Boar Lane.
• Essential access to properties and for emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout the works.

Leeds City Council (The Leeds Times) April 20, 2026. The closure is scheduled to run from 11:45 pm each night until 5:00 am the following morning, with the work described as window‑related works on buildings fronting the road.

The council says the restriction is needed to allow contractors safe access and to carry out the works without posing a risk to pedestrians, vehicles or workers. A temporary traffic order has been issued to enforce the closure for those three nights, with the notice published via the national public‑notice portal and local signage.

Which vehicles are affected and when?

According to the public‑notice document, no person will be allowed to cause or permit a vehicle to turn left out of Russell Street onto Park Row during the closure window.

This means that evening and overnight drivers seeking to join Park Row from the Russell Street junction will be blocked at that point.

The restriction applies only between Russell Street and Infirmary Street, not along the entire length of Park Row. Vehicles that would normally use Park Row as a through‑route between the Headrow and the B5205 corridor towards the M621 will therefore need to use the official route‑diversion plan.

What is the official diversion route?

As detailed in the council‑linked public‑notice, a diversionary route will guide affected vehicles via Bedford Street, East Parade and Infirmary Street while the closure is in force. The notice adds that the bus gates on Park Row, Infirmary Street and East Parade will be lifted and open to all traffic for the duration of the works, allowing the diversion to function effectively.

Leeds City Council has also confirmed that the diversion will be clearly signed on‑site, with temporary road‑works signage and cones in place to direct motorists.

Emergency‑service vehicles and access to premises will be maintained, meaning that residents, businesses and visitors can still reach addresses along Park Row, albeit by following the signed diversion.

How will bus services be impacted?

First Bus, the main operator of route 24 in Leeds, has published an update on its service‑changes page, confirming that Service 24 will be diverted between 11:45 pm and 5:00 am on Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

According to the operator, the diversion will see Service 24 follow a route via Albion Street, The Headrow, Vicar Lane, New Market Street, Duncan Street and Boar Lane, before rejoining the normal route at the Trinity O stop.

The company notes that City Square and Infirmary Street will remain part of the adjusted route, so passengers can still board and alight at key stops within the city‑centre core, though the exact path will differ from the normal timetable.

First Bus last published this update on April 14, 2026, and advises passengers to check the operator’s website or app on the night of travel for any last‑minute changes.

Why is the Infirmary Street bus gate being suspended?

As outlined in the temporary‑works notice, the Infirmary Street bus gate between King Street and Park Row will be inoperative during the closure period.

The notice explains that the vehicle‑restriction point will be lifted so that all traffic can use the Infirmary Street section as part of the diversion.

This temporary lifting of the bus‑gate restriction aligns with other recent changes to bus‑gate arrangements in Leeds, where the council has adjusted access at various city‑centre gates to accommodate works or events. The current order is intended to allow unrestricted movement for the specified nights, then revert to the standard bus‑gate rules once the works are complete.

How long will the disruption last?

The closure is planned for three nights only: Monday, April 27, Tuesday, April 28, and Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Within each night, the actual road closure will run from 11:45 pm until 5:00 am, minimising the impact on daytime traffic and peak‑hour commuters.

The temporary traffic order that underpins the closure is normally valid for up to 18 months, but Leeds City Council has stated that the restriction will remain in force only for as long as the works take, or until the 18‑month period ends if the works finish earlier.

In practice, however, the notice indicates that the Park Row works are expected to be completed within the specified April 27–29 window, after which the normal traffic pattern will be restored.

What should drivers and residents do?

Residents and regular users of Park Row are advised to check the council’s roadworks and closures page and the public‑notice portal for maps and formal notices ahead of the closure dates. Drivers travelling through the city centre at night should allow extra time, expect slower journeys and be prepared to follow the diversion via Bedford Street, East Parade and Infirmary Street.

Cyclists and pedestrians are unaffected by the vehicle‑only closure, though contractors may deploy temporary barriers or kerb‑side scaffolding as part of the window works. Anyone with specific access‑needs or who relies on Park Row for business or residential access is encouraged to contact Leeds City Council’s highways team in advance to clarify access arrangements.

Background to Park Row works and city‑centre traffic management

Park Row is a key arterial route in central Leeds, running roughly northwest–southeast between The Headrow and the junction with the B5205 (York Road), and forms part of the city’s Inner Ring Road system. The road lies within the LS1 postcode area and passes several major office buildings, retail fronts and public‑sector premises, which is why any closure or restriction is typically planned for overnight or off‑peak hours.

In recent years, Leeds City Council has implemented a series of bus gates and low‑traffic interventions in the city centre, including the 24‑hour bus gate on East Parade and restrictions on Park Row itself, to prioritise buses, cyclists and emergency vehicles.

These measures are often adjusted or temporarily lifted during construction works, as is the case with the current Infirmary Street bus gate suspension.

The temporary traffic‑order regime used for the Park Row closure is a standard tool under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, allowing local authorities to restrict or divert traffic for specific infrastructure projects or works. Such orders are published on the national public‑notice portal and are in force for a maximum of 18 months, although they can be revoked early once the works are finished.

Prediction: How this development can affect the audience

For Leeds residents and commuters, the three‑night Park Row closure is likely to cause only limited disruption, since it falls within the early‑morning hours and covers a short stretch of road. However, drivers who regularly use Park Row overnight—such as licensed‑taxi operators, delivery vehicles, or shift workers returning home—may experience longer journey times and unfamiliar routing via Bedford Street, East Parade and Infirmary Street.

Bus‑dependent passengers on Service 24 may find that the diverted route adds a few minutes to journeys between the city centre and surrounding suburbs, especially if there are queues at the Headrow or Boar Lane stops. Those who rely on the Infirmary Street bus gate during the day will not be affected, as the gate is only suspended between 11:45 pm and 5:00 am, but the change may still prompt some users to review their night‑time travel options.