Plan to revamp A61 stretch between Wakefield and Leeds could slash congestion

Plans to slash congestion and journey times on a busy West Yorkshire road have been unveiled.
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Transport chiefs want to revamp the A61 corridor between Wakefield and South Leeds, which is heavily used by commuters travelling between the two cities.

The route is ravaged by late bus services and lengthy delays to traffic, a report says.

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But under the proposed scheme, buses would be given greater priority on the corridor and new cycle lanes and car parking spaces would be created along the road.

The scheme could be completed in three years time if given the go-ahead.The scheme could be completed in three years time if given the go-ahead.
The scheme could be completed in three years time if given the go-ahead.

The scheme would concentrate on a five-mile stretch of the A61 from the Leeds Valley Business Park to Wakefield's Newton Hill roundabout, just north of the city centre.

A separate two-mile stretch, between its junctions with Ings Road and Standbridge Lane in Wakefield, would also be revamped as part of the same scheme.

A report going before a West Yorkshire Combined Authority Committee next week said: "The corridor suffers from traffic congestion, slow bus speeds

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and poor bus service reliability, air pollution, poor access to bus stops and a lack of cycle routes.

It added that the scheme, "Is key to improving public transport, particularly buses, as well as walking and cycling, to meet the extra demand from new homes and jobs planned within areas along the corridor.

"This package will reduce the number of car journeys along this corridor, thereby reducing emissions and improving air quality."

The plan, which is likely to cost between £7m and £11m, would be due for completion in 2023.

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Although the scheme will not be signed off for definite next week, councillors will be asked to discuss it and potentially allow a business case to be put together for the project.

Local Democracy Reporting Service