Improved cycle routes, bus priority measures and more: This is what the 2020 budget means for Wakefield

Announcing the plans as part of the Budget on Wednesday, chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed a £1.8bn devolution deal for West Yorkshire.

The deal will be worth £38m a year for 30 years, and promises to drive up living standards, with a £317m investment in transport and the election of a West Yorkshire Mayor.

➡️ This is why a West Yorkshire devolution deal has taken so long to arriveIn a joint statement, West Yorkshire council leaders said: “We have secured an ambitious deal recognising the strong case we have made for investment which delivers growth benefitting all our communities and helps us tackle the climate emergency.

“It also represents a significant transfer of power from Whitehall, ensuring more decisions that affect our communities are taken here.

“This deal will help the region which drove the first Industrial Revolution to do so again in the Green Industrial Revolution by investing in transport, including a modern low-carbon mass transit system, supporting our towns to ensure they remain vibrant places to live and work, helping our businesses thrive and preparing our young people with the skills they need for the future economy.

“The powers secured through this deal will give us greater flexibility to take decisions which address local concerns without asking permission, including the ability to intervene directly in local transport and in the operation of local bus services.”

In Wakefield, residents will see the introduction of measures to reduce congestion, improve journey time and access sites on the A639, which West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) promises will “benefit the Five Towns”.

This will include a bus hub at Glass Houghton and pedestrian and cycle improvements on Pontefract’s Horsefair.

Authorities will also take action to improve public transport on the A61, including new bus lanes and accessible bus stops and improved cycle access to Outwood and Sandal and Agbrigg railway stations.

The city centre’s Northern and Civic Quarters, including Wood Street, will also be pedestrianised under the plans.

Further afield, WYCA has also confirmed plans for a new railway station at White Rose Shopping Centre and a new bus interchange in Dewsbury.