£21m of new funding to unlock a brighter future for West Yorkshire

22-06-2023 

Following a meeting of the West Yorkshire Mayor and the region’s council leaders, more than £21 million will be invested in tackling the climate emergency, building stronger transport links for the future and supporting training for high-tech green jobs.

The investments, come following last week’s publication of the Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire Plan, which aims to build a “brighter West Yorkshire that works for all” by 2040. 

This funding will drive forward some of the plan’s key missions, helping to build a prosperous, well-connected and sustainable region. When added to other recent project approvals in the Spring, in areas such as Thorpe Park Rail Station and further investments in our Mayor’s Fares scheme, the Combined Authority is now investing more than £54m into the future of the region. 

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

“We are getting on with delivering important work the people of West Yorkshire want to see.”

“This multimillion-pound investment supports our missions set out in the West Yorkshire Plan, and will help us create good jobs, strong transport links, and a more environmentally friendly region for future generations. 

“It’s crucial we focus on a better future for our children and children’s children helping them reap the rewards of living in a greener, safer, brighter West Yorkshire.” 

Breakdown of funding  

Bus infrastructure improvements at around 14 bus stations and 500 bus stops on key bus routes across West Yorkshire have been confirmed with a further £5.4m.

The work will deliver improvements at up to 14 bus stations and more than 500 bus stops on routes across West Yorkshire. The work will also address delays to bus services at 16 locations on the road network. 

Another £6.65m has been approved to go towards schemes to help young people build up skills for the green and digital jobs of the future. The scheme aims to support around 500 children from disadvantaged areas get the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow. 

Millions of pounds are also set to be spent on projects to protect our environment, including just under £2m introducing further flood defences along the Colne and Calder rivers. The plans will provide further protection to homes in and near Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Sowerby Bridge, Elland, Marsden and Huddersfield.   

£2.5m will go towards our Better Homes Hub programme, focussing on retrofitting homes with energy saving measures, such as insulation, solar panels and heat pumps. A further £366,000 will go towards a scheme to fit solar panels onto the region’s bus stations.  

Cultural activities will be supported through £1.6m worth of grants towards both Calderdale Year of Culture 2024, and Wakefield Year of Culture 2024.   

The funding was approved at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Annual General Meeting today (Thursday 22 June 2023), which was chaired by the Mayor and attended by the region’s council leaders. For more information on the project approvals, visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website. 

Notes to editors: 

The West Yorkshire Plan includes five missions from West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, which are: 

• A prosperous West Yorkshire, built on an inclusive economy with well-paid jobs. 

• A happy West Yorkshire, full of great places and healthy communities. 

• A well-connected West Yorkshire, held together by a strong transport system. 

• A sustainable West Yorkshire, rich with greener lives and communities. 

• A safe West Yorkshire, free of the fear of crime so everyone can flourish. 

Find out more information about the West Yorkshire Plan

The Bus Enhancement Package works announced today are paid for with money from the Government’s Levelling-Up fund.