Several key transport schemes across Yorkshire, including funding towards a £95 million to improve the A641 between Bradford and Huddersfield-installing new cycleways, link roads and improving junctions-have been approved by West Yorkshire Combined Authority members.

The schemes approved, which amount to approximately £38.4 million, include a number of ‘active and sustainable’ projects in which public transport plays an integral part alongside better routes for cyclists and pedestrians. This form part of plans to get the region’s ‘economy moving again’ councillors were told.

As a result of the approval, projects that now move onto the strategic outline cases stage include a scheme to enable active and sustainable travel at Bishopgate in Leeds City Centre; which is a connection route running along the A61 South from South Leeds and through Wakefield, as well as a active and sustainable interchange for Harrogate which will also include routes between Harrogate and Knaresborough and Harrogate Rail Station.

Also, a Transforming Cities Fund scheme to enable active and sustainable travel across Skipton town centre; a Selby Gateway active and sustainable travel scheme; and an A639 scheme linking Leeds with the five towns of Castleford, Pontefract, Knottingley, Featherstone and Normanton.

The combined authority also approved schemes at the development stage, including the East Leeds Demand Responsive Transport scheme; the Cross Church Street, Huddersfield-a scheme to establish a cyclist and pedestrian-friendly route; the Halifax Station Gateway scheme, which forms part of a wider scheme to improve transport, cycling and pedestrian links on the A629; and the Armley gyratory Leeds City Centre Package to improve public transport and promoting walking and cycling as active modes of travel; the first phase of Holmfirth town centre Corridor Improvement Programme scheme; and phase three of the City Connect scheme, which is the third phase of the Castleford Greenway scheme.

The authority also agreed to approve using £11.851 million of Transforming Cities Funding to repay development costs already incurred by partners, and to draw down the next tranche of funding.