Residents of Leeds are currently being asked for their opinion on the proposed scheme.
A Public Space Protection Order has been proposed to prohibit dangerous driving and vehicle nuisance in public spaces as a way of protecting public areas and communities across the city.
The Public Space Protection Order would span across the entire Leeds area and include regulations that could cause disturbance to local residence.
Image: Boris Yue, Unsplash
In the list of potential prohibited actions, the council included: revving car engines unnecessarily, playing music too loudly or beeping their horn without a reason.
This comes in addition to inconsiderate parking, littering from a vehicle, as well as more serious actions like the use of intimidating language or behaviour when behind the wheel, and a serious clamp down on 'car cruising events'.
As part of the proposed Public Space Protection Order, car cruising and similar events would be prohibit people from engaging in, promoting, encouraging or being involved in any online organisation of said events.
The proposal comes after a West Yorkshire Combined Authority survey which found found that most respondents in the areas surveyed felt that road safety, speeding and dangerous driving were all problems in their local area, which subsequently caused "unease and made residents and road users feel unsafe".
Car meets and cruising will both come under the public protection order. / Image: Brian McCluske, Unsplash
According to the survey website, vehicle related nuisance accounts for just under one third of all nuisance incidents reported to police in Leeds in 2021.
Those wishing to share their own views on the new proposal can visit the survey on the Leeds government website and leave feedback. This will be available until Friday 12 August 2022.
Superintendent Dan Wood, Partnerships Lead for Leeds District Police, said: “We recognise the impact that anti-social vehicle use and dangerous driving can have on communities and work closely with partners in Leeds District to make our roads safer.“Having a Public Space Protection Order will give us additional powers to take action against those who cause concerns in our neighbourhoods by using vehicles in an inconsiderate or reckless way.”
Feature Image- Jonny Gios, Unsplash
News
A huge new venue designed for 1,000 fans to watch the World Cup is coming to Leeds city centre
Trinity Kitchen will turn into one of the city’s biggest hotspots to watch the World Cup this summer.
The space is getting ready to be transformed into an evening fan zone with three super-size screens, a brand-new bar, DJs, brass bands and space for up to 1,000 supporters.
The space will be completely free to attend and will open just in time for the start of the tournament on Thursday 11 June.
And before you worry about getting a seat, fans will have the option of booking tables for England’s games.
It doesn't stop there, as it has also been announced that award-winning Leeds independent brewery Northern Monk will open in Trinity Kitchen for the first time.
Image: Supplied
The ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’ will feature two, seven-metre bars, 20 beer taps, whilst 11 street food vendors will be serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
Rooftop padel courts planned for multi-storey car park in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Padel courts could be built on top of a car park in Leeds if plans are agreed.
Padel has been taking the world by storm recently, and it seems like there's no stopping it just yet.
Developers behind the Merrion Centre in Leeds have submitted plans to build eight rooftop padel courts at the shopping centre.
If successful, the development would result in the loss of 128 spaces at the car park which currently has space for 960 vehicles.
The plans outline that the courts would be built on the eighth floor of the building and that the scheme would support the fast growing popularity of the sport in the city.
The development would include seven indoor courts that would be housed in a detached aluminium-framed structure at the car park site that was built in the 1960s.
The report said: "Padel is widely recognised as a fast-growing racket sport, combining elements of tennis and squash in a format that is social, inclusive and relatively easy to learn.
"Its increasing popularity across the UK has led to a notable rise in demand for accessible courts, particularly in large urban areas."
It continued: “The application site forms part of the existing Merrion Centre car park, currently operated by CitiPark. The building comprises eight levels in total, with this proposal limited to the uppermost level.”
Leeds City Council is currently considering a full planning application which is out for consultation until Wednesday 3 June.
Sophie Smith -
6th July 2022 
