Traffic in Leeds 'returns to its natural state' as photo shows gridlocked inner ring road

The city centre's notoriously busy traffic network fell near silent last March, but has been getting gradually busier since then as more people have returned to the office.

Now - with traffic gridlock and regular reports of bus delays - it seems things may be returning to 'normal'.

Metro Travel News tweeted this afternoon (Friday): "Leeds - Delays of up to 35mins to @FirstWestYorks Services due to traffic congestion across the network."

Similar updates from bus companies have been issued around the familiar rush hour time for the past few weeks now.

The YEP regularly reported on the city's transport woes before the pandemic.

As part of our Unlock the Gridlock campaign, we called on Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to help get our city moving again.

We want him to look again at a mass-transit-system for Leeds, take action to improve the reliability, value and operation of Leeds' buses and trains, and make the city more attractive for cyclists and walkers.

And it can't come soon enough for the city, with people taking to social media over the past few days to vent their frustration.

One said: "Can everyone start working from home again so the traffic isn’t horrendous for me to get to Leeds?"

Another added: "Ah, I see the Leeds Inner Ring Road has returned to its natural state."

While a third person tweeted: "Traffic round Leeds is a joke. Bring back lockdown."

While another simply said: "What is this Leeds traffic."