M621 junctions 1 to 7
We’re carrying out a series of improvements to key junctions on the M621.
Speed limit statutory instruments consultation
A consultation has been opened to give you the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments to speed limits on the M621 motorway.
Click hereProject information
Visit our M621 junctions 1-7 interactive tool to have your say. The tool includes an interactive map. You can click on a location to make a specific comment, or give us your general feedback.
ECHO is a one-way feedback tool, so if you’d like a response to your feedback you can email the project team at: M621J1to7@highwaysengland.co.uk
We will reduce congestion by adding additional lanes for vehicles to use at the junction 2 roundabout and junction 3 westbound, as well as between junctions 2 and 3 where we’ll convert the existing hard shoulder into an additional lane for traffic.
Motorists will be safer as our scheme will enable vehicles to move more freely at existing junctions – reducing stopping traffic and the risk of shunts and slow speed collisions. Vehicles will no longer have to stop at junction 2 and will instead be able to move freely between the M621 and A643. We’ll also be changing junction 3 westbound to give priority to the main M621 traffic, allowing it to flow more freely. Improvements at this junction will also remove conflicts where the traffic merges in this area. Permanently closing junction 2a will allow junction 3 improvements to reduce the risk of collisions resulting from the short distance between junctions 3 and 2a.
During peak times traffic is very congested on the M621 between junctions 1 and 7, making people’s journeys unreliable and leading to shunts and slow-speed collisions between vehicles.
Our scheme will ease congestion at key locations along the M621, providing a better, safer, experience for motorists and more reliable journeys. This is great news for the local and regional economy as our scheme will support economic growth aspirations – helping people and businesses access Leeds city centre and the surrounding area.
We published the Made Orders for the M621 junctions 1 to 7 improvement scheme under the Highways Act 1980 on 31 October 2019 and submitted both the Side Roads Order and Compulsory Purchase Order to the Secretary of State for Transport for confirmation.
On Friday 10 January 2020 the Department for Transport issued a ‘notice of intention to hold Public Local Inquiries’ into the Side Roads Order and Compulsory Purchase Order published in October 2019 following an objection to the scheme proposals.
A Public Inquiry was scheduled, pre-COVID-19 pandemic, for June 2020 where an independent planning inspector would hear evidence from Highways England and interested parties.
Due to the current restrictions it was postponed and rescheduled for early November 2020. We’ve been working with the objector to the scheme and the objection has now been removed and the planned inquiry cancelled by the Department for Transport.
The initial published Made Orders and other supporting documentation, along with our Statement of Case for the then anticipated public inquiry can still be viewed within the documents area below.
If you have difficulty accessing any of the documents please contact us and we will try to supply you directly with an electronic copy.
Secretary of State decision letter
The Secretary of State for Transport on Friday 27 November 2020 issued his decision on the scheme proposals, confirming the Compulsory Purchase Order without modification and confirming the Side Roads Order with modifications.
Confirmed Orders 2020
Following the Secretary of State decision letter, we’ve prepared copies of the confirmed Orders.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the need for social distancing, it wasn’t possible for us to deposit a physical copy of the Orders at a document viewing location. However they can be viewed electronically below:
• Side Roads Order Confirmation Notice
• Confirmed Side Roads Order 2019 with modifications
• Compulsory Purchase Order Confirmation Notice
• Confirmed Compulsory Purchase Order 2019
The Confirmation Notice in relation to the Side Roads Order was published on Friday 11 December 2020 and the Confirmation Notice in relation to the Compulsory Purchase Order was published on Thursday 17 December 2020. These respective dates are the start of the six weeks High Court challenge periods for each Order.
Following publication of the Compulsory Purchase Order Confirmation Notice on 17 December 2020, we have now begun the acquisition process of the land required to construct the scheme. Part of the land is being acquired by General Vesting Declaration (GVD) which will transfer the ownership of land required to Highways England.
The relevant GVDs and their accompanying plans are available to view in the General Vesting Declarations section in the Documents area below.
Improvements to the M621 Leeds
Watch our video showing planned improvements to the M621 urban motorway
Watch nowM621 Virtual Hall
Find out more about the M621 Improvements by visting our virtual hall
View the virtual hallOther works happening in Leeds
Find out what Leeds City Council also have planned on the roads within the city.
Leeds City Centre roadworksDocuments
M621 Made Side Roads Order – Public Notice
M621 Made Side Roads Order – Schedule and Plans
M621 Made Compulsory Purchase Order – Public Notice
M621 Made Compulsory Purchase Order – Schedule and Plans
M621 Statement of Reasons accompanying the Made Orders
M621 Planning Statement accompanying the Made Orders
M621 Engineering General Arrangements
M621 Technical Appraisal Report
M621 Scheme Assessment Report
Notice of Intention to give a certificate for exemption of exchange land December 2019
Notice of certification for exemption of exchange land February 2020
Related Road projects

Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
Sign up for updates!
Keep up to date with what's happening on this scheme by signing up to our updates.