Work starts on new pathway to link up Castleford and Featherstone

Wakefield Council says it will take around eight weeks to complete the new path along Cutsyke Road.

The work has been welcomed by resident Phil Wilks, who has been campaigning for around three years to have the path laid.

With the new £6m Glass Houghton link completed, a huge influx of house building on the south side of Castleford is underway and Mr Wilks said it was vital to connect the areas, especially for youngsters who attend schools in the adjacent town.

The road does have a roadside path that ends near to Low Laithe Farm and does not resume again for approximately one-third of a mile.

Mr Wilks said: “I’m supportive of the Glass Houghton link road, it is very important for Castleford’s development,

“But the nearest school is St Wilfrid’s and there’s no footpath from Castleford.

“There’s a blind Z-bend and it’s too dangerous without a path.

“It’s an extremely unfortunate and dangerous situation with pupils walking that way.

“I’m glad the work is finally getting underway, it’s essential and it will obviously be well used.”

Coun Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for planning and Highways, said: “We are pleased that the licence agreements with the landowner have now been signed and the scheme to provide a new, much-needed footway along Cutsyke Road is due to start next month.

“This work is part of our road safety programme and will be completed by February next year.”

Drivers are being warned there may be some disruption during the path work.