What does the devolution deal mean for local areas?

The devolution deal gives West Yorkshire communities a greater say about the issues that affect them, plus extra investment to deliver on local priorities. Discover what the devolution deal means for the area of West Yorkshire you live in below.

The devolution deal gives West Yorkshire communities a greater say about the issues that affect them, plus extra investment to deliver on local priorities.  The devolution deal brings more than £1.8 billion of investment for West Yorkshire into local control.

This includes £38 million per year for 30 years with significant freedoms to spend on local priorities. The Mayor and local council leaders will decide how this will be spent and regular public consultations will also be undertaken.

Projects which benefit from the devolution deal

Bradford

  • £500,000 of Government funding to support master planning in Bradford City Centre to maximise regeneration opportunities from Northern Powerhouse Rail — a city centre high speed stop would add up to £15 billion to the North’s economy 
  • A package of measures to transform Bradford city centre through pedestrianisation, new cycle infrastructure and better access to Bradford Interchange 
  • A new park-and-ride for South Bradford providing alternative access to the city centre and key employment sites 
  • The Government has also committed to working with Bradford Council on developing the district’s Act Early research hub which focuses on early interventions in childhood health to improve lives and opportunities for children and their families, building on the world-renowned work of Born in Bradford 

Calderdale

  • A new bus station for Halifax and a new rail station for Elland 
  • Improved access to Halifax rail station, including a new footbridge
  • Improved accessibility in Halifax, enabling people to travel more easily by bike or on foot into and across the town centre 
  • Improved routes by bike or on foot to the new Elland rail station 

Kirklees 

  • Improved access to Dewsbury town centre with a revitalised bus station and high-quality walking and cycling routes within the town centre and to Kirklees College 
  • Improved public transport to and within Huddersfield town centre, with a refurbished bus station, upgrades to Huddersfield Rail Station and new cycling and walking routes linking the stations and neighbouring areas 
  • Improvements to bus interchanges and waiting facilities with a new bus hub at Heckmondwike
  • Improvements to bus reliability and cycling between Batley and a major development site at Chidswell and on towards Leeds

Leeds 

  • £25 million to support the development of a British Library North in Leeds 
  • Funding to support the redevelopment of Leeds rail station to prepare the city for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. This includes major works to the front of the station to improve access for people travelling to the station by foot or on bike, including a 700-space secure cycle parking facility  
  • New high-quality cycle infrastructure to link communities on the edge of the city centre with new jobs and colleges both in the city centre in Leeds South Bank by bike  
  • New bus priority measures in east Leeds to improve capacity for commuters travelling into Leeds city centre as well as reduce congestion and improve reliability for residents and commuters 
  • A new rail station at White Rose to increase capacity for future employment growth and provide greater access to jobs and education opportunities for the communities of Churwell, Millshaw and Cottingley 

Wakefield

  • The transformation of Wakefield city centre with a reduction of traffic in the Northern and Civic Quarters, complemented by improvements to cycle and walking routes 
  • A new cycle route between Wakefield Kirkgate rail station and the town centre and improved access to Wakefield bus station by foot 
  • New bus priority and cycling and walking infrastructure on the A61 and A639 corridors, making it easier to travel sustainably between Leeds and Wakefield and reducing dependence on cars 

Related information

  1. A Mayoral Combined Authority

    On 9 May Tracy Brabin was elected the first Mayor of West Yorkshire. With specific powers on transport, housing, regeneration, finance and policing, the Mayor will work with the Mayoral Combined Authority, council leaders, business representatives and partners for the benefit of the region.

  2. The devolution deal

    The deal sets out the new powers, funding and responsibilities which will be transferred from central Government to West Yorkshire. Read the full details.