Architect: Leeds City Council
Sector: Retail
Client: Leeds City Council
Contractor: Birse Civils Limited

Brief
A major refurbishment in Leeds city centre that saw a requirement for the pedestrianisation of a main shopping area.

To provide an attractive and cost effective solution for the pedestrianisation of a main shopping area in Leeds. This area has long been regarded as the premier retail area of the city. The demanding programme included short lead-in periods to enable a quick start-up on site and a further logistical challenge included the busy and tight city centre working areas.

Solution
Aggregate Industries worked closely with the Leeds City Council technical and design teams to choose suitably cost effective products and to develop their specification – including tight Granite and Yorkstone paving tolerances.

The streets have undergone a major redesign and upgrade. On Briggate, all signs of its former identity as a busy road with thousands of cars passing through it every day have been removed, transforming it into a pleasant and colourful street with Yorkstone and Granite setts.

The particular design chosen was an outstanding mixture of two complementary materials, with quality of the material and tightness of tolerance being particularly important to create the
finished effect. Despite the very demanding timescales, and challenging working conditions, Aggregate Industries produced a superb quality solution.

Alan Evans, Head of Procurement, Birse Civils Ltd: “Through a true partnership approach, Aggregate Industries, Birse and Leeds City Council have created a first class public space, on time and within budget. This is an area that all parties should be proud to be associated with.”