Major investment announced including plans for Leeds Bradford Airport railway station

Mayor Tracy Brabin and the region's five council leaders approved West Yorkshire's investment pipeline at a meeting of the Combined Authority yesterday (March 12), injecting millions of pounds into projects for Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield.

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, in a bold push to create a stronger, better-connected West Yorkshire that works for all.

Among this will be further commitment to a new Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway Railway Station, which will serve the airport, making way for smoother transport for travellers, and for those commuting to work.

“This is a huge moment for West Yorkshire, as we deliver on our promises and change lives for the better in every corner of our great region. Almost a quarter of a billion pounds of investment will help us to get shovels in the ground, boost public transport, build new homes, and back the communities and businesses that keep our region moving,” Mayor Tracy Brabin said.

“With all five districts coming together to work as one West Yorkshire powerhouse, we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job of building a stronger, greener, fairer and better‑connected region – one that puts more money in people’s pockets and grows the UK economy.”

This builds on the multibillion-pound investment made in the region since devolution and adds to the £2 billion integrated settlement for West Yorkshire coming in April, which the Mayor said illustrates how strong regional leadership and partnership working is delivering for the people.

The integrated settlement will allow the Mayor and Combined Authority to have greater flexibility over how and where money is spent across the region.

Building on the success of projects and developments already ongoing in West Yorkshire, the investment pipeline will include the following plans in Leeds and Wakefield.

Leeds

• A commitment to a new Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway Train Station will serve the airport, making way for smoother transport for travellers, and for those commuting to work. This will further support Leeds Bradford Airport’s Vision 2030, backed by £200 million in private investment, to improve passenger experience as the airport reaches an anticipated seven million passengers a year by 2030 and the creation of up to 5,500 new jobs.
• To boost access to busy areas in Leeds, over £73 million was approved today towards improvement works for the city’s roads. This includes improving bus lanes, footpaths and crossings in Headingley and Armley.
• Leeds Innovation Village, a flagship project of the West Yorkshire Investment Zone, will offer offices, lab space and new housing and business space. It will accelerate high-growth sectors including healthtech, with the regeneration of the Old Medical School representing a significant investment to accelerate innovation and job creation.
• Identified by the New Town Taskforce as a potential site for a ‘new town’, up to 13,000 new homes could be built at Leeds South Bank over the next few years. The New Towns area would focus on shaping the area south of the city centre and will complement ongoing developments such as Saxton Lane, where 200 fully affordable homes are currently being delivered, as well as Regent Street, where 185 modern apartments have been completed.

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 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 has today 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.