Pedestrians and people who cycle set to benefit from £1 million transport funding for Pontefract

12 June 2019

Transport funding of £1 million has been allocated for a scheme to improve Pontefract town centre for people who cycle and pedestrians.

Funding through the Combined Authority's Integrated Transport Block funding programme, will mean improvements to the town’s Horsefair area, between the town centre and Pontefract Castle.

The scheme, which will be developed with input from the local community, is expected to deliver improvements to the pedestrian area to help reconnect the town centre to the castle. It could also result in changes to traffic movements. It will also help deliver Wakefield Council's a wider masterplan for Pontefract town centre. The Plan aims to regenerate the area, introduce more town centre living and encourage more people to an improved and healthier neighbourhood.

Another great example 

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transport Committee, said: "This project, funded from our Transport Strategy's Integrated Transport programme, is another great example of West Yorkshire's ambition to improve local places and their connections to enable walking and cycling to become the natural choice for short everyday journeys, helping to reduce air pollution and increase physical activity.

"Increasing the numbers of people choosing to travel on foot or by bike has an important role to play in making our region a great place to live, work and play.
"The programme will build on the work already underway through the Combined Authority's £60m CityConnect programme, aimed at encouraging more people to travel by bike or on foot."

Overall goals

Cllr Matthew Morley, Cabinet Member for Transport at Wakefield Council, said: "We're very pleased to have secured this funding and we are looking forward to finding out people's thoughts and ideas for this project.

"This scheme supports one of our overall goals, which is to regenerate the district to benefit residents and businesses and to encourage visitors to come and enjoy our district."

The next stage will involve a feasibility study and a public consultation, to take place later this year in which people will have the opportunity to look at plans and proposals and share their own ideas. The scheme is expected to get underway in 2020/21.

The initiative is part of the Combined Authority’s 'West Yorkshire Transport Strategy 2040'.

29 May 2019