Last week I attended the unveiling of the first of a set of 25 new way-finding signs for Leeds. Following an extensive development – and in advance of the opening of Leeds Arena, the Eastgate quarter and Trinity Leeds – the signs are designed to make it easier for people to find their way around Leeds City Centre and to key locations and attractions. They will be located at key locations and junctions and each is specific to its location and orientation – the map is rotated to the orientation the sign is facing. The colour coded maps complement an existing series of printed maps available for the shopping district, the waterfront and the market. Future proposals take the number of signs to 140+.
The hope is that the signs will make it easier for visitors to Leeds to understand and navigate the City Centre, tackle misconceptions such as the location of the waterfront and realise aspirations of Leeds as a walkable city.
Leeds City Council want the Walkit Leeds map to be the main map for Leeds city centre. As such, they want to encourage people to use it in their publications or to promote the location of their business or event (although the colours can’t be changed or logos added).
To aid with journey planning there are also walking times to various locations on the signs. Existing signage in the city had been confusing and of a low quality, so these signs with a 15+year lifespan and a consistent and Leeds specific branding must be an improvement. The signs will also be backlit at between dusk and 9pm- powered by a solar charge during the day and targeting the hours of increased footfall.
There has been some criticism about the rotation of the maps – some would prefer all were rotated with North up. Personally I think that the rotation, along with the inclusion of key landmarks would help those who are unfamiliar with Leeds, or who don’t carry a compass.
I also think that it’s great to see such thought go into something for Leeds. Whether the signs will be as long-lasting as hoped or whether they will increase walking journeys is to be seen, but a bit of pride in our city has to be a good thing.