Balfour Beatty has been selected by Leeds City Council as the sole contractor to deliver the Leeds Inner Ring Road Strategy, a long-term package of maintenance, asset renewal and major structural upgrades to protect one of the city's most important transport corridors.

The work, valued at up to £120 million over seven years, will be procured and delivered through the Leeds Contractors Major Works Framework, to which Balfour Beatty was appointed in 2023.

Under the strategy, the company will carry out a rolling programme of annual planned maintenance and significant structural interventions along the 2.5-mile route, which carries more than 83,000 vehicles daily and includes over 135 structures such as bridges, tunnels and extensive retaining walls.

Targeted strengthening and refurbishment will focus on priority assets, with design-and-build packages to extend the life of four bridges and viaducts, as well as three tunnels and one footbridge.

Balfour Beatty will collaborate with Leeds City Council and its design and engineering partners under Early Contractor Involvement to refine construction methodology, sequencing, logistics and buildability for a tightly constrained urban setting.

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Once delivered, the strategy is expected to keep the Inner Ring Road safe, serviceable and reliable, underpinning Leeds' transport strategy, active travel goals and future mass transit plans, while sustaining critical traffic flows across the city.

Nick Crossfield, Balfour Beatty Divisional CEO for UK Defence, Power & Regional Infrastructure, said: "We are proud to be entrusted to deliver a long-term strategy to protect a route that is fundamental to the economy of Leeds and the wider region.

"Our team has meticulously planned every stage alongside Leeds City Council, to ensure that we can deliver safely, efficiently and to the highest standards, working hand in hand with our valued supply chain partners."

Councillor Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council's executive member for transport and planning, said: "The Inner Ring Road plays a vital role in keeping Leeds moving, carrying more than 80,000 vehicles a day. This major investment in planned maintenance will ensure the route remains fit for the future, while supporting our wider Connecting Leeds strategy to manage traffic more effectively and create a more people-focused city centre.

"We recognise that there will be some temporary disruption, however by taking a planned, long-term approach now, we are reducing the risk of unplanned closures and disruption in the future, protecting connectivity for residents, businesses and visitors across the city.

"This work is essential to support Leeds' continued growth, improve resilience across our transport network, and enable future investment in public transport, walking and cycling."

Routine maintenance will start immediately, with the major structural interventions scheduled to commence in 2027. The full programme, covering maintenance and the design and build of new or refurbished assets, is due to complete in 2032.