All-electric bus depot and 1,000 new homes amongst plans for Wakefield as part of £230 million investment into region
Almost a quarter of a billion pounds of investment has been given the greenlight for transformative projects across Wakefield and the wider region.
Mayor Tracy Brabin and the region's five council leaders approved West Yorkshire's investment pipeline at a meeting of the Combined Authority last month, injecting millions of pounds into projects for Wakefield, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Leeds.
Together, they approved £230 million in new funding for projects that will deliver better transport links, improved walking and cycling routes and new space for businesses to grow.
Within Wakefield, the Combined Authority will purchase land at Newton Bar and build a brand new, all-electric bus depot at a cost of around £60 million.
The first, purpose-built Weaver Network bus depot will create a modern base for up to 125 electric buses, improving reliability and helping deliver cleaner, more efficient bus services in Wakefield. Subject to final Cabinet consideration, The Ridings Shopping Centre in the city centre will also be transformed to make way for over 1,000 new homes as well as leisure and retail spaces.
The government has committed £17.9 million towards the first phase of the project. Castleford will benefit from a new investment of £11.9 million towards new footbridge, toucan and pedestrian crossings, as well as new cycle routes from the town centre along the banks of the River Aire to Wheldon Road near Fryston village. The Combined Authority also approved funding of £4 million towards expanding office space in Wakefield at the Langthwaite Enterprise Zone, which aims to accelerate local economic growth by offering incentives to businesses to establish or expand their operations.
Coun Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “Our ambitious plans for Wakefield will improve transport connectivity, make sure more people have a place to call home, and drive more investment right across our district. “The pipeline of projects set out today will help transform our local economy in a way that makes sure everyone feels the benefits of growth.
"Our local, regional, and nationally partnership working is delivering real change to help all of our places to be even better environments to work, visit, and live in.”