Ralph Blackburn
Published30th May 2026, 06:00 BST
Leeds’ own version of the New York High Line is seen as an “important way” of helping increasing numbers of football fans access the redeveloped Elland Road.
Plans to replicate the Big Apple’s elevated walkway along the 1.1-mile Holbeck Viaduct have been in the offing for more than a decade.
However, with the regeneration of Leeds South Bank and the expansion of Elland Road to 53,000, Tim Reid, chair of the project, believes it is building “up a head of steam”.
“Instead of the Holbeck Viaduct being this long linear point of severance between communities, we’re actually the thing that can unite it and be part of a multi-modal transport network, a green corridor, an active space,” he explained.
Graham Edwards' vision of the Holbeck Viaduct.placeholder image
Graham Edwards' vision of the Holbeck Viaduct. | Graham Edwards
The community group wants to turn the abandoned viaduct, last used in 1983, and its 92 arches into an elevated walking and cycle path from Leeds Station past Elland Road and down to Wortley.
There would be towers providing access at different points in route, and it would be used by commuters, people exercising and football fans travelling to the stadium.
Holbeck-based architect Graham Edward said he was inspired by Manhattan’s High Line, also based on an abandoned viaduct, which is now the most popular tourist attraction in the city.
He told The Yorkshire Post: “I visited the New York High Line and thought if we had anything as half as good as this in Leeds it would be a wonderful thing for the city and West Yorkshire.
The map of the Holbeck Viaduct high line.placeholder image
The map of the Holbeck Viaduct high line. | Supplied
“It would provide connections for people who visit Leeds and visit Elland Road, but mostly for the communities it serves.”
Mr Reid, who runs the company Urban Wilderness, said of the High Line: “As a precedent study it’s awesome.
“It had this very beneficial effect of giving New Yorkers a different experience of their own city.
“What we are keen to say is we are not just recreating the High Line.
The New York High Line in Manhattan. Credit: Gettyplaceholder image
The New York High Line in Manhattan. Credit: Getty | Getty Images
“This needs to be about Victorian architecture, this needs to be about Leeds’ heritage - what Leeds was built on at its heart.”
Central to the success of the project is Leeds United. The football club has donated £50,000 to help with a pre-planning application inquiry.
This will allow a feasibility study to be done and also a public consultation, which will allow the Holbeck Viaduct project to apply for National Lottery funding.
Another visualisation of the Holbeck Viaduct high line in Leeds. Credit: Holbeck Viaductplaceholder image
Another visualisation of the Holbeck Viaduct high line in Leeds. Credit: Holbeck Viaduct | Holbeck Viaduct
The walkway fits in perfectly with Leeds’ ambitions to dramatically cut down car use once Elland Road is expanded by 2030.
Currently, almost two-thirds of supporters come to games by car, with around 6,000 vehicles parked on nearby streets.
But it is intended that little more than one-quarter of supporters will arrive at the stadium by car in future.
The viaduct would make walking from the station to the stadium so much more pleasant.
A visualisation of the Holbeck Viaduct high line in Leeds from above.placeholder image
A visualisation of the Holbeck Viaduct high line in Leeds from above. | Holbeck Viaduct
Mr Reid said Leeds United “seem to be bought into it”.
“They see us as an important way of helping deliver the green transport strategy in a meaningful way,” he added.
“Helping people getting on trains, into Leeds and walking out to the stadium.”
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On a visit to South Leeds, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “It’s really important that communities themselves have a say in how regeneration happens.
“It’s their city, it’s their hometown - it can’t just be for the politicians and the developers to take those decisions.
“Looking at the High Line in New York, that brings nature right into the heart of the city.
“We all want homes to be built, but we also want nature to be restored - and if you can bring those two things together in a single project, well how good is that.”