Have your say on planned City Connect Castleford to Wakefield cycle route

The new cycle route would provide a safe link for people cycling to and from work and making leisure journeys by bike.

It would also provide a connection to the Castleford Greenway, built in 2014, and the national coast to coast Trans-Pennine Trail at Methley Junction.

Online consultation started this week and people can comment on the proposed scheme by leaving feedback on the map, at www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk/projects/wakefield-to-castleford.

People can also email comments to [email protected].

The consultation closes on Friday July 29.

Public consultation events will take place on Monday July 25 at Castleford Swimming Pool from 5pm-7pm and on Thursday July 28 at Castleford Library from 10am-2pm.

People are invited to go along and provide their feedback on the proposals. Residents on the route will be receiving a letter and leaflet showing the changes in their area.

Coun Matthew Morley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways at Wakefield Council, said: “I would encourage people to take part in this consultation and have their say on the new route which could provide a new safe and pleasant journey for cyclists and walkers between Castleford and Wakefield.”

Coun Keith Wakefield, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee said: “West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the LEP and our partners are committed to developing an integrated ‘Metro-style’ transport network and cycling will be a key element of that network.

“Just last week we opened the first stage of the north’s first cycle superhighway, linking Bradford and Leeds and I would urge people to get involved in this consultation on this planned route linking Castleford and Wakefield along the River Calder.”

Information about the proposed scheme can be found on the CityConnect website at www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk and there will be updates throughout the consultation on Twitter (@CityConnect1) and Facebook (/cyclecityconnect).

The Wakefield to Castleford Greenway scheme would form part of Phase 2 of the CityConnect Programme, which is the result of West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the West Yorkshire District Councils successfully securing £22m of funding in the second round of the Department for Transport’s Cycle City Ambition Fund.