£4.5 million of accelerated schemes to help boost economic recovery to go before West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee

25 November 2020

More than £4.5 million of schemes, which have been accelerated to help boost the economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic, are among the items to be considered by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Investment Committee.

Members will be asked to approve two “Warm Homes” schemes, which will help address fuel poverty through energy efficiency measures, and a high-speed broadband voucher scheme at the next committee meeting on Wednesday 2 December.

These are the first schemes to be delivered through the Government’s Getting Building Fund, through which the Combined Authority secured £52.6 million earlier this year to accelerate 15 “shovel-ready” projects in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, helping create nearly 2,300 new jobs and safeguard a further 500 jobs.

Members will be asked to approve a £3.281 million scheme to deliver energy efficiency and heating improvements, such as insulation and gas boilers, at 100 Victorian terraces in Holbeck, Leeds. 

This scheme is expected to create 30 construction jobs and support three apprenticeships, and it will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 8,500 tonnes over the lifetime of the products used.

A £961,000 Wakefield Warm Homes scheme to deliver up to 275 energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation and new boilers, which will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 2,000 tonnes over the lifetime of the products used, will also be presented to members.

The meeting will hear details of a £300,000 voucher scheme for businesses or residents in Wakefield to fund the installation of high-speed broadband.

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Investment Committee and Leader of Wakefield Council, said:

“Schemes such as these are integral to West Yorkshire’s economic recovery from the pandemic, helping to ensure the benefits are felt across a wide range of communities and sectors.

“The Combined Authority is committed to leading the economic recovery and it is crucial we accelerate schemes to help create new employment opportunities and support supply industries – vital work, which will help pave a way forward for our region.”

Members will also be asked to progress a £31 million scheme to replace the existing Regent Street flyover in Leeds city centre, as well as a £9.530 million package of improvements to the A58 corridor in Harehills, Leeds (Roundhay Road, Easterly Road and Barrack Road).

Plans for the A58 scheme include upgrading existing signalling, designated bus lanes, and new cycling infrastructure, as well as improved signalised crossings across key junctions for people travelling on foot. Both schemes are being delivered through the West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund. 

A £7.044 million scheme package of improvements at Todmorden, Menston and Pontefract Monkhill rail stations, including new lifts and a replacement footbridge at two of the stations, and a £1 million package of improvements for the travel centres at Huddersfield, Bradford and Leeds bus stations are also on the agenda.

Members will be asked to approve the release of a further £2 million towards the £41 million Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme to improve flood walls and barriers, as well as widen the river, helping protect more homes and businesses.

This scheme is being funded through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.