We're replacing the A656 Ridge Road Bridge between Garforth and Micklefield

As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s programme of improvements to deliver more frequent, faster, greener trains on a better, more reliable railway, we're electrifying the line between York, Leeds and Manchester to provide the power for cleaner, quieter electric trains.
To do this, we need to reconstruct the A656 Ridge Road overbridge, as it is currently too low to accommodate the overhead electric line equipment.
 
Northern Gas Networks also has a high-pressure gas main that runs via a separate pipe bridge over the railway, located next to the road bridge.
 
We carried out a public consultation to share our proposals with the local community and hear their feedback on our plans during October and November 2022.
 
In October 2024, the Secretary of State for Transport approved a Transport and Works Act Order, granting us permission to deliver this and a number of other major elements of the Transpennine Route Upgrade between Leeds and Micklefield.

What will we be doing?

We will be demolishing and reconstructing the bridges.
 
The gas main pipe bridge will be diverted first via micro-tunnel under the railway. This will not require a road closure.
 
Works will be carried out to divert the utility services which run across the bridge before the main bridge structure is replaced.
 
Utility services will then be relocated back into their new permanent position before the road is re-opened.

How will I be affected?

The A656 Ridge Road will be closed for 9 months between 2 March – 4 December 2026

All traffic will be diverted via the A63 and A642 along a clearly signposted diversionary route, shown below:

Access to all properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.

The weight restriction on A642 Wakefield Road will be lifted for the duration of the work.

Bus service 175 will be diverted throughout the work. Details of the diversion are available here.

The footway over the bridge and a short section of the footpath to the north of the railway line leading up to Ridge Road will also need to be closed. An alternative route for pedestrians is shown below.

Please note that while this route follows Public Rights of Way, some sections of the routes are on unsurfaced paths across fields.

How will we be managing the impact on the local communities?

Comprehensive diversion signage, agreed with Leeds City Council, will be in place to highlight the road closure in advance and keep drivers on the correct route.

National Highways’ electronic Variable Message Signs are being used on the M1 and A1(M) to make drivers aware and alert them to the correct route.

Sat-nav and online journey planning services, such as Google Maps and Waze, now draw data on road closures and agreed diversion routes from a central DfT database, ensuring that the correct diversion route is given.

Additional environmental weight limits will be in place on Main Street-Lidgett Lane and Bar Lane-Ninelands Lane in Garforth, and on Great North Road through Micklefield, to prohibit larger vehicles from using local roads away from the agreed diversion route to minimise the impact of additional vehicles on the local community.

Traffic counts have been conducted before work starts, and will be closely monitored during the work.