Projects to deliver homes, improve transport connections and help people who need additional support to travel are progressing with £10.8m of support from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
WYCA’s Investment Committee has agreed to progress schemes, which together will deliver more than 900 new homes, reduce carbon emissions and improve road safety.
The funding and projects are:
- £1.8m to progress the reconstruction of the A6025 in Brighouse
This scheme will repair the existing A6025 Park Road, which is currently closed to all traffic following a landslip. Work will improve journey times, reduce carbon emissions and better connect local residents to jobs, education and leisure opportunities, given that the road acts as a major gateway connecting Brighouse and Elland. Funding comes from the Getting Building Fund, a government programme aimed at boosting the economy in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Councillors have agreed to progress the scheme further.
- £2.8m funding towards housing development at Points Cross in Leeds
This development in the heart of South Bank in Leeds city centre will deliver 928 homes, including 311 affordable. The scheme will also build new public walking and cycle routes, as well as commercial space. Points Cross will be funded by the government’s Brownfield Housing Fund, a programme designed to build more homes by bringing more brownfield land into development. Support from members of the Investment Committee means work is due to start in the coming months.
- £5.4m to progress the Fink Hill Corridor Improvement Programme in Leeds
Work will remodel lanes and junctions, introducing more pedestrian crossings. The scheme is set to make the junction safer for road users and pedestrians, reduce congestion and decrease overall carbon emissions. The scheme is at the fourth stage of planning and with support from members, the scheme will progress to the next stage.
- £785k to progress the Door-to-Door Community Transport Service
The service will match people to suitable, safe and affordable transport. This will be achieved by signposting people to existing providers that can meet their needs by connecting people with a volunteer travel companion, or by enabling them to book a journey with a local community transport provider. Investment backed by the committee will enable the scheme to progress, with a pilot due to start in May 2021 in south Leeds.
Commenting, Chair of WYCA’s Investment Committee and Leader of Wakefield Council, Councillor Denise Jeffrey said: “Schemes like these are central to our drive to making sure people are better connected to work, education and leisure opportunities, as well reducing the region’s carbon emissions and boosting the delivery of urgently needed housing.
“Through these projects, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to not only building a stronger and growing economy that works for all, but also to improving the day-to-day lives of our communities.”
