Multi-million pound transport plans for Wakefield signed off

Millions of pounds worth of cash for two big transport projects in the Wakefield district have been signed off.
Newton Hill roundabout.Newton Hill roundabout.
Newton Hill roundabout.

A revamp of the Newton Bar roundabout, to the north of the Wakefield city centre, was given planning permission at the end of last year and has now been backed with just over £9million.

An expansion of the car park at Normanton Rail Station, meanwhile, has been given just under £2m worth of funding.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The money was signed off by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), which holds the pursestrings on transport schemes in the region, on Thursday.

The coronavirus pandemic has however, put the timescales of both projects in doubt. It’s not known when either will start.

The Newton Bar roundabout scheme, which will create new lanes for motorists and cyclists as well as traffic lights and crossings, was meant to start early this summer and finish in 2021.

That is now thought to be very unlikely.

There is similarly no certainty when the expansion of Normanton Station’s car park will begin.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But under the plans, an extra 52 car parking spaces will be provided, including seven disabled blue badge bays and space for two electric vehicle charging points.

New CCTV cameras will also be installed.

Speaking last month when the idea was first revealed, Wakefield Council’s transport chief Matthew Morley said the new spaces were “much needed”.

“We want to encourage our residents to use trains to travel within our district and beyond,” he added.