Bus station has £320k worth of modernisation

New bus shelters, lighting and departure screens have been fitted at the town’s bus station.

Bike stands and a new pedestrian crossing have also been fitted as part of the project by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Wakefield Council and building company Amey.

More than 190,000 people are expected to use the new facility every year.

Coun Peter Box, Wakefield Council leader and chairman of the combined authority, said: “It’s good to see another investment in local public transport facilities that not only provides real benefits for South Elmsall residents but also provides important inter-connectivity for transport services across the Wakefield district and West Yorkshire.

“Providing the transport network that connects people to jobs, education, training and opportunities is key to West Yorkshire Combined Authority achieving the aims of ‘good growth’ set out in our Strategic Economic Plan, and this new hub is just the latest part of that network.”

A public consultation was held on the scheme, designed to improve pedestrian access to bus stops and the town’s railway station.

Coun Keith Wakefield, chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s transport committee said: “South Elmsall’s new transport hub will mean noticeable and lasting improvements for the 193,000 bus passengers who used the town’s old bus station each year so I’m delighted to see it open.

“When we carried out a consultation on the scheme, we had an excellent 94 per cent response from local businesses and residents supporting the scheme so it’s fantastic to be able to support the local economy by improving access to the local transport network through high-quality projects such as this.”