Leeds

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Leeds is a city in the United Kingdom.

Hitching Out

South

Getting out of Leeds can be difficult. There is a place you can stand on the slip road to the M1 that is a 10-15 min walk from the city centre. People do get lifts from there, but it can feel a bit sketchy cos cars go past pretty fast. You can also take bus 2 or 3 to Maumoniat's Supermarket on Dewsbury Road, and from there walk to junction 5 of the M621. It's less dangerous, but still quite slow as there is not much space for cars to pull over.

Another option, if u have a couple of £s, is to get a bus to the nearest services. Get bus 444 from stop P5 which is on City square, opposite the train station. After quite a long, windy bus route you need to get off on bretton lane, just before the Yorkshire sculpture park (get the driver to give u a shout). Walk up Bramley lane and you will see the services. Cross over the bridge to get to the southbound section. If you get lost ask people for ‘Wooley edge services’ – they might think you’re a but nuts but will generally help. Once u find it it’s fairly easy to get lifts.

Google map to Wooley Edge

To Manchester & Liverpool

The slip road to the M621 is right next to the M1 south slip road. Unfortunately this is an even hairier place to stand because you're pretty much on the road. It is possible to get lifts if you're feeling daring. Junction 2 of the M621 (beside the football ground) is a lot safer, and has a reasonable amount of trafficAlternatively, you could get a bus to Hartshead moor services, but might not really be worth it if you're just going to Manchester because the bus all the way there wouldn’t cost much more.

Northwest, towards Ilkley, Dales, Lake District

Walk north up Otley Rd. (this road starts in town and goes past the universities–it's called Woodhouse Lane, then Headingley Lane, then Otley Rd.). It’s a bit of a walk but you can start trying to hitch anywhere after the big roundabout near Lawnswood and Boddington hall. People driving in this direction are likely to be in a good mood, so chances of getting a lift are high.

North, towards Newcastle, Scotland

You can walk out of town to oakwood. Go up Roundhay Rd, along Wetherby Rd. (A58) up to the roundabout with the ring rd, then try to hitch north up Whetherby Rd. Or you can catch a bus from the city centre (12, 13, 13a) to oakwood. Another option, which is more expensive but potentially more reliable, is to get a bus to Wetherby from the bus station and hitch from there.

Hitching into Leeds

If you are coming from the south on the M1, you might get a lift from someone who is continuing west towards Manchester, or north towards Newcastle. You can ask to be dropped at Junction 28 of the M62 or Junction 46 of the M1. From both places there are regular buses that go into the centre (or you can continue to hitch), and it is easy for your driver to pull back onto the motorway.

If you are coming up the A1 and want to get to Leeds, the junction with the A64 is possibly a good place to be dropped. It's not the shortest route, but it is quite busy. It can be difficult after dark though, because there are no streetlights.

Other useful information

Squatting

If you need somewhere to stay or want to get in touch with squatters in Leeds try emailing the Squat network north yahoo group.

Showers

There are various showers you can use on Leeds University campus. The Union, the geography department and the computing department all have showers.

Free city bus

There is a free bus service which does a small circuit around the city centre and goes to the station, bus station, markets and university.

Resource centre

Oblong is a resource centre, currently based in Woodhouse. They offer free internet, a food cooperative, cheap printing and photocopying, an art space, and hopefully soon a bike workshop.

Social centre

The Common Place is a social centre in the city centre. Its not always open, but worth trying for cheap vegan food, internet, a free shop, and a good way to meet people.