Nearly £43m of sustainable transport schemes will go before a West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) committee next week.

Members will be asked to progress three transport schemes at the WYCA’s Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee on Monday 7 February.

The plans, reports Public Sector Executive include:

*A £22.56m scheme (including £20.5m of WYCA funding) to boost walking and cycling access to Selby rail and bus stations, as well as improving the facilities at both sites.

*A £4,9m scheme to create a new Heckmondwike bus hub with six stands and one layover bay, as well as a new building with a green roof complete with plants, a waiting area, offices, accessible toilets and a changing places room.

*A £15.38m scheme (including £6.43m of WYCA funding) to pedestrianise City Square in Leeds, as well as bus, signal, traffic management and signage improvements on surrounding streets.

The scheme will enable more people to walk, cycle and use public transport, as well as improve bus reliability.

Commenting, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee and Leader of Wakefield Council, Councillor Denise Jeffery said:

“It is more important than ever that we continue to invest in a modern, accessible transport network, which supports economic growth by connecting more people with jobs, training and education, while also helping tackle the climate emergency.   

“We need to reduce car trips by 21% and increase cycling trips by 2,000%, walking trips by 78%, bus trips by 39% and rail trips by 53% if we are to hit our ambitious target of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.  These important schemes will help us do that.”

Plans to build 69 new affordable homes on brownfield land in Castleford and 37 new affordable homes on the same type of land in Pontefract are also on the agenda.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin added: “In my manifesto, I committed to improving our transport network, connecting more people with opportunities, building 5,000 new homes and helping tackle the climate emergency. 

“That’s why I’m delighted to see these important schemes, which have been made possible by our devolution deal, on the agenda for committee members to consider.

“Making sure everyone has access to good, affordable housing and transport is absolutely crucial in ensuring all of us, our people, our communities, our businesses, get to where we want to be as a region.”

The Selby Station Gateway and Heckmondwike Bus Hub schemes will be delivered through the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund programme, which is aimed at making it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport.

The Leeds City Centre Package – City Square Plus scheme is being delivered through the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund.