West Yorkshire leaders kickstart major investment pipeline with over £200 million for transformative projects

Almost a quarter of a billion pounds of investment has been given the greenlight today to transform every corner of West Yorkshire and deliver its long-term ambitions to boost growth through better transport connections, more high-quality homes, a skilled workforce, and by making it a better place to live, work or grow a business.     

Mayor Tracy Brabin and the region's five council leaders approved West Yorkshire's investment pipeline at a meeting of the Combined Authority today (12 March), injecting millions of pounds into projects for Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield.

Together, they approved £230 million in new funding for projects that will deliver better transport links, improved walking and cycling routes and new space for businesses to grow, in a bold push to create a stronger, better-connected West Yorkshire that works for all.

This builds on the multibillion-pound investment made in the region since devolution and adds to the £2 billion integrated settlement for West Yorkshire coming in April, which the Mayor said illustrates how strong regional leadership and partnership working is delivering for the people. The integrated settlement will allow the Mayor and Combined Authority to have greater flexibility over how and where money is spent across the region.

Speaking ahead of the Combined Authority meeting in Leeds, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“This is a huge moment for West Yorkshire, as we deliver on our promises and change lives for the better in every corner of our great region.

“Almost a quarter of a billion pounds of investment will help us to get shovels in the ground, boost public transport, build new homes, and back the communities and businesses that keep our region moving.

“With all five districts coming together to work as one West Yorkshire powerhouse, we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job of building a stronger, greener, fairer and better connected region – one that puts more money in people’s pockets and grows the UK economy.”


Building on the success of projects and developments already ongoing in West Yorkshire, the investment pipeline includes the following:

Bradford

Bradford’s City Village programme will see the delivery of 1,000 new homes as well as green spaces, shops, cafes, and restaurants in the city centre. Over £13 million from the Combined Authority is on track to be invested to help deliver the first phase of the scheme.

The Southern Gateway scheme will unlock new business space, over 5,000 high quality homes and 23,000 jobs. The 126-hectare regeneration site, set to be one of the largest in the UK, will be boosted by the region’s investments in rail and a mass transit system.

The Combined Authority today approved £1.3 million towards improving junctions, footpaths, cycle lanes and bus journeys between Tong Street and Bradford City Centre.

Plans are underway to build a Low Carbon Hydrogen plant in Bradford, which will be one of the largest low carbon hydrogen production facilities in the UK.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said:

“We welcome this commitment to invest in Bradford’s future from the Combined Authority, as well as its clear confidence in the crucial part we play in the success of our region.

“Huge change is already well underway in Bradford. We’re claiming leadership on the hydrogen economy, improving transport from footpaths, cycle lanes, and bus routes through to progressing the new Southern Gateway station, which has the power to fast-track Bradford's growth on a scale we haven't seen in decades.

“We’re also taking strides forward on our ambitious City Village – a development of up to 1,000 new homes, green spaces, and public realm - which will be game-changing for the city centre.

“We’re pleased Bradford has the continued support of the Combined Authority as we drive these projects forward, paving the way for new homes, new jobs and new cultural opportunities that will shape our future for years to come.”

Calderdale

A new rail station for Elland will be added to the Calder Valley line as part of a £70 million scheme to improve existing transport links and create new walking and cycling routes. The station will also improve the town’s connections with the wider region including Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, and Manchester.

Work is taking place to improve connectivity and infrastructure through Brighouse and between Huddersfield and Bradford. To better connect communities, major highway improvements will take place on the A641 including plans to install a new bridge and improve existing infrastructure to make it easier to walk, wheel, cycle, use public transport or drive.

Plans are in place to transform a large site at Clifton, near Brighouse, into a business park which could create around 1,300 jobs. The project will also see the delivery of two new garden communities that could unlock over 3,000, high-quality homes in the area.

There are also plans to add new homes, retail and leisure space to Dean Clough, a Grade II listed mill complex in Halifax town centre.

Cllr Scott Patient, The Deputy Leader of Calderdale Council, said:

“Unprecedented investment is transforming Calderdale’s towns and places, from highways improvements and new infrastructure to provide better links across the borough, region and beyond, to new homes and business opportunities.

“We’re also investing in people and skills, supporting brighter futures, helping reach their potential, and playing a vital role in driving economic growth.

“We’re already seeing transformative projects make a real difference to people’s everyday lives. Further projects underway or in the pipeline will accelerate these impacts, supporting our ambitions to create opportunities, boost enterprise, and build a greener, more resilient borough for everyone.”

Kirklees

The £10.5 million Heckmondwike Bus Station will open in 2026 as the first Weaver Network bus station, with additional bus stops, indoor seating, accessible facilities, and a green roof with solar panels.

Construction works for new footpaths, crossings and cycle lanes will start across Dewsbury town centre following the approval of £7.5 million at today’s Combined Authority meeting, and a further £10 million will improve transport links between Batley and Dewsbury.

West Yorkshire’s Investment Zone will establish the region as one of the world’s most influential hubs for health technology. Within the wider development of the Huddersfield Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor, this includes the remediation of the Gasworks Street South Site, unlocking growth and innovation in healthtech and complementing the University of Huddersfield's National Health Innovation Campus.

Dewsbury Riverside could also see 3,000 homes built to the south of the town centre, creating new green spaces and a network of new garden communities. The site will see transport connectivity unlocked through the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

Cllr Carole Pattison, Leader of Kirklees Council, said:

“This is another welcome boost for our economy. Across Kirklees, we’re seeing investment in our transport and economic infrastructure which will deliver jobs and opportunities for families and communities long into the future.”

 

Leeds

A commitment to a new Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway Train Station will serve the airport, making way for smoother transport for travellers, and for those commuting to work. This will further support Leeds Bradford Airport’s Vision 2030, backed by £200 million in private investment, to improve passenger experience as the airport reaches an anticipated seven million passengers a year by 2030 and the creation of up to 5,500 new jobs.

To boost access to busy areas in Leeds, over £73 million was approved today towards improvement works for the city’s roads. This includes improving bus lanes, footpaths and crossings in Headingley and Armley.

Leeds Innovation Village, a flagship project of the West Yorkshire Investment Zone, will offer offices, lab space and new housing and business space. It will accelerate high-growth sectors including healthtech, with the regeneration of the Old Medical School representing a significant investment to accelerate innovation and job creation.

Identified by the New Town Taskforce as a potential site for a ‘new town’, up to 13,000 new homes could be built at Leeds South Bank over the next few years. The New Towns area would focus on shaping the area south of the city centre and will complement ongoing developments such as Saxton Lane, where 200 fully affordable homes are currently being delivered, as well as Regent Street, where 185 modern apartments have been completed.

Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:

"In Leeds we have unlocked a number of nationally significant growth opportunities that represent one of the most ambitious transformation pipelines in the UK. With a track record of delivering on major infrastructure projects through raising public and private sector finance and through successful collaborations as Team Leeds we know we stand in a strong position.

"Working with our fellow authorities from across the region, West Yorkshire is proving that our collective strengths are the key to continuing to deliver at scale, through securing long-term, locally led investment which will continue to transform our local economies."

Wakefield

The Combined Authority will purchase land at Newton Bar and build a brand new, all-electric bus depot at a cost of around £60 million. The first, purpose-built Weaver Network bus depot will create a modern base for up to 125 electric buses, improving reliability and helping deliver cleaner, more efficient bus services in Wakefield.

Subject to final Cabinet consideration, The Ridings Shopping Centre in the city centre will be transformed to make way for over 1,000 new homes as well as leisure and retail spaces. The government has committed £17.9 million towards the first phase of the project.

Castleford will benefit from a new investment of £11.9 million towards new footbridge, toucan and pedestrian crossings, as well as new cycle routes from the town centre along the banks of the River Aire to Wheldon Road near Fryston village.

The Combined Authority has today approved funding of £4 million towards expanding office space in Wakefield at the Langthwaite Enterprise Zone, which aims to accelerate local economic growth by offering incentives to businesses to establish or expand their operations.

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, said:

“Our ambitious plans for Wakefield will improve transport connectivity, make sure more people have a place to call home, and drive more investment right across our district.

“The pipeline of projects set out today will help transform our local economy in a way that makes sure everyone feels the benefits of growth. Our local, regional, and nationally partnership working is delivering real change to help all of our places to be even better environments to work, visit, and live in.”


The future investment pipeline builds on the success of projects already in delivery for the region.

Working with government, the Combined Authority has secured £200 million of funding to deliver a Mass Transit system for West Yorkshire between 2021 and 2027, with a commitment for further investment from 2027 to 2032. Plans are progressing to finally bring a Mass Transit system to West Yorkshire, starting with routes in Leeds and from Leeds to Bradford.

The Combined Authority’s plans build on the huge investment being made into the TransPennine Route Upgrade, and will complement the transformational £45 billion promised by the Government for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

The Combined Authority has taken the decision to bring buses back under public control, with a fully-franchised network set to run throughout West Yorkshire by late 2028. This will allow the Combined Authority to set fares, routes and timetables.

An investment of £46 million is helping to transform the main entrance of Leeds Railway Station and the surrounding area. Ongoing works have seen the addition of a 700-space cycle hub, segregated cycle lanes, and a pedestrian priority area.

The Combined Authority has saved passengers £76 million by capping bus fares since 2022.

To build a better-connected region, the Combined Authority has invested £111 million towards new and upgraded bus stations in Castleford and Halifax and rail stations in Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge and Low Moor.

The Combined Authority is dedicated to improving active travel and has delivered 149 kilometres of new or improved walking, wheeling and cycling routes. Over £1.7 million has also been invested across 33 walking and cycling hubs since 2022.

West Yorkshire is one of the fastest builders of houses in England since the financial crisis of 2008. Investment in brownfield housing delivery will continue to create new, thriving communities, across the region, with over 6,000 homes in the pipeline.

Last year, the Combined Authority launched Home Energy West Yorkshire, a free advice service, to help everyone in the region to lower their energy bills by making their homes warmer and more comfortable.

Combined Authority-funded adult skills courses have seen 298,000 enrolments, with people gaining the skills they need to succeed and secure well-paid jobs.

The Combined Authority has invested over £13 million in Culture, Heritage and Sport, attracting over £300 million in additional public funds and supporting 54,000 local jobs.

Over £4.4 million has been invested in 460 grassroots projects to empower communities and improve public safety.