Wakefield Council settles more than 150 new compensation claims with eastern relief road neighbours

It was revealed in June that the local authority had paid out around £2m to people living around the bypass because their properties have fallen in value since it was built in 2017.

Since then, a further £834,000 has been divided and handed out to 167 households, as well as to solicitors and agents, according to the council's decisions register.

Residents in Eastmoor, Stanley, Stanley Ferry and the Pinders Heath estate, off Aberford Road, are among those to have benefited from the compensation scheme since it started.

Under the law, councils are expected to compensate residents for any loss of property value caused by smells, noise pollution and other issues associated with building work.

In June, the council explained the law requires them to compensate landowners and tenants, "If the value of their land falls due to factors caused by work to highways such as noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke and artificial lighting".

Glynn Humphries, service director for the environment, added: "Following the construction of the Wakefield eastern relief road, the council is now settling compensation claims, including interest, legal and agents fees to property owners for claims which have been agreed."

The road, which was later christened Neil Fox Way after the Wakefield Trinity RL legend, was built with the intention of cutting city centre congestion and journey times.

Local Democracy Reporting Service