New £2.9m cycleway will link Wakefield and Castleford

Wakefield Council approved the proposed Wakefield Greenway project - which would run mainly along the bangs of the River Calder - at a meeting last week.

The scheme will be funded by a grant from City Connect, which is delivering a programme of cycle improvements across the region.

The Greenway cycleway will link Castleford to Wakefield via Normanton.

It will also link up with the Trans Pennine Trail at Methley Junction.

Coun David Dagger, the council’s cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “This is an exciting project which would provide people living between Wakefield and Castleford with additional opportunities to cycle and walk beside the water, either for leisure or to commute to and from work.”

The proposal would include surfacing the path between Methley Bridge and Castleford to Fairies Lock, providing improved access across the River Calder just East of Wakefield and widening the path from the Washlands to Chantry Bridge.

A report to the council meeting said: “This scheme will provide people with the opportunity to ride or walk to work in a safe environment and assist people to live healthier lifestyles by providing an attractive outdoor environment for exercising.”

The grant funded project will be added to the council’s capital programme.

Public consultation for the scheme will start in October, with building work starting in autumn 2016.

The council said the whole path could be finished by spring 2018.

For more information on what the cycle path plans involve visit www.wakefield.gov.uk