Work on new Glasshoughton Southern Link Road underway
Work has started on Wakefield Council's £6 million link road in Castleford that will help to improve commuting times, improve the environment and create new housing, business and employment opportunities.
20 March 2019
The scheme has been developed by Wakefield Council and funded by the Combined Authority through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund. The Fund is supported through the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of Government investment delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region
The Glasshoughton Southern Link Road will connect Whistler Drive to Bruce Smeaton Way at the Cutsyke Road roundabout.
A more direct route
The project was designed to provide a more direct route to the leisure and retail area from Wakefield and Normanton, reduce congestion, improve air quality and offer a more sustainable transport route for buses, cyclists and pedestrians.
It also includes the creation of a wetland, planting of 'bee-friendly' wildflowers and a much-improved bridleway at Flass Lane.
Reducing congestion
Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: "By reducing congestion, this new link road will contribute to the ongoing growth of Glasshoughton and Castleford by supporting economic development and the construction of new, much-needed housing. It will also help make local bus services more reliable and as a result more attractive, as well as improving local air quality and making to providing better facilities for people who cycle and pedestrians."
Cllr Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council said: "This is a win-win for so many people as it opens up the potential for job opportunities, new housing, reduced commuting times, improved equestrian route, better air quality, improved environment and habitats. We are pleased that West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund has supported our vision for the development of this part of the district."
Boosting economic growth
Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: "This government is committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the Northern Powerhouse, connecting places and building an economy which is fit for the future. That is why we have provided £6m through the Local Growth Fund to support the Glasshoughton Southern Link Road scheme. As well as reducing congestion and providing a more direct route to the Castleford leisure and retail centre from Wakefield and Normanton, it will also support the delivery of 1,300 new homes and create new employment opportunities."
The road, which passes along the periphery of a development area that has the potential for up to 1,300 new homes, 3,200 new regular jobs and 1,000 construction jobs. The road is expected to be opened to traffic in early 2020.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority has already committed over £150 million of West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund investment into schemes across West Yorkshire.
Other Wakefield District schemes that have been supported by Fund support are the £33 million Wakefield Eastern Relief Road and the £6 million Wakefield Kirkgate regeneration scheme. Additionally 150 new, free park and ride spaces have been created at South Elmsall and Fitzwilliam rail stations through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund.
Find out more about West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund schemes