'Safer and healthier' roads planned for Wakefield district

The council is considering plans to ensure that residents and visitors can travel safely around the district, following the latest Government guidance and supporting social distancing.

Schemes are being considered to help support active and safe travel in the city and towns, and in particular in areas where higher volumes of traffic are expected – such as schools.

The schemes being considered include:

Introducing ‘pop up’ cycle lanes

Widening footways to create space for pedestrians and those waiting for public transport

Reducing traffic speeds

Restricting access for motorised vehicles in the city and town centres.

The council is working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure funding of £2.5m from the Department of Transport to help implement some of the schemes.

This work will also support the council’s ‘Transforming Cities’ plans – which aims to create places where communities are able to easily access a hassle-free transport network, which links them to employment and education opportunities, whilst also being sustainable and helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Using the Transforming Cities Fund, Wakefield plans to invest around £25m over the next three years in active and sustainable travel.

Coun Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways, said: “I welcome this major investment which will create many great opportunities to improve public transport and to enhance cycling and walking routes in the region.

“The proposed schemes for the Wakefield district include plans to improve the A61 corridor with improved bus travel, and more cycle lanes; improvements to the A639 with bus priority measures around Castleford and Pontefract; including enhancements in the Horsefair area and a scheme to reduce traffic in the civic area of Wakefield, as well as supporting cycling and walking initiatives.

“Investment in sustainable transport brings a whole range of benefits such as improved access to communities, which supports jobs and employment and helps to contribute towards our important commitment to tackle climate change.”