FAQs

Delivery of the A638 Doncaster Road Corridor scheme is a key element of the strategy to provide the Wakefield City area with the infrastructure it needs to support growth. It will enable the local road network to operate more efficiently by encouraging the public to travel by sustainable modes of transport (walking, cycling, public transport), through providing infrastructure to support walking, cycling and the use of buses, promoting associated health benefits, and providing capacity for growth.

Proposed improvements include:

• Three alternative options to improve the bus lane on Black Road approaching the junction with the A638 at Heath common. 
• Revisions to bus stops on Doncaster Road to provide laybys and better access on foot from the surrounding residential areas. 
• New signalised crossings at Sugar Lane and near the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road junction to provide new facilities for cyclists as well as walking access to bus stops.
• Upgraded cycling routes that link residential areas to the city centre away from the main road, with high quality, safe and secure routes.

The scheme is being delivered by Wakefield Council in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority. 

The Combined Authority works with Local Authorities and businesses across West Yorkshire and York to create economic growth through large and small scale infrastructure projects such as this.

The budget for A638 Doncaster Road in Wakefield is £6.30 million.

There are several current and future transport related problems and issues identified on this route: 

• High volumes of traffic and limited crossing facilities available make it hard for pedestrians to cross the road, 
• Congestion related excessive noise and air pollution. 
• Inconsistent bus priority and poor bus journey reliability. 
• Inadequate cycling provision along and connecting to the corridor, and; 
• High deprivation. 

The future interventions are expected to contribute to the CIP Phase 2 objectives and deliver improved journey times and reliability for sustainable mode (walking, cycling and public transport) users, deliver environmental benefits by reducing transport emissions, improve health through encouraging modal shift towards active modes. The scheme will also improve safety for walkers and cyclists, allow local development, and reduce levels of deprivation in the area. These targets align with Leeds City Region wider strategic objectives and national, regional, and local policies. 

The A638 Doncaster Road scheme aims to:

• Make it easier for people to cross the main road on foot and by bicycle.
• Encourage a shift towards more walking and cycling and the use of public transport.
• Improve air quality by reducing emissions. 
• Improve access to employment and education centres via sustainable modes of travel.

Subject to the outcome of this consultation, an Outline Business Case is intended to be submitted in October 2021. Work will continue to prepare detailed designs, finalise costs and appoint contractors. 

A full business case would be expected in Late 2022/Early 2023, with scheme construction commencing sometime in 2023, and completed by mid-2024. 

Detailed design will commence following this public engagement and is aimed to be completed in 2022 for the A638 Doncaster Road corridor. 

We currently expect construction to start in 2023 and finish in 2024. Once we have more detailed designs a contractor will be appointed who will firm up the construction dates. We will work closely with the contractor to make sure that the impact on all users, local residents and businesses is as small as possible, but there will be some disruption from road works. We will work closely with businesses and communities most affected to ensure all works are done with the minimum possible impact.

This project is still at an early stage, so some of the detail of how any changes will affect specific parking or loading bays is not known yet. 

We know that there are many businesses both big and small along the route and each may have its own arrangements in terms of loading and unloading. The consultation gives business owners and those serving businesses a chance to comment on the proposals and identify where, if anywhere, they have concerns relating to this issue. 

The feedback we receive will be used to shape and further develop the proposals in the next design stages. If the proposals change significantly then further consultation will be required with stakeholders and the public.

By the time that the project has been completed, we expect that the way people get around will be back to how it was before COVID-19. If possible, we hope to be able to arrange drop in sessions at key locations on the corridor. The details of any drop sessions will be publicised using the Wakefield Council Facebook page and via updates to this page. Please check the webpage regularly for updates.

The improvements on the A638 Doncaster Road corridor are planned as part of the Corridor Improvement Programme Phase 2, which is funded by the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund (WY+TF). 

The WY+TF is a £1bn investment and a 20-year commitment for the Leeds City Region, aimed to support the development of a transport infrastructure fit for the 21st century. This funding was secured by the LEP and West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal in 2014 to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region

The Transport Fund is being used to make major improvements to motorway access, orbital roads (also knows as ring roads), improvements on key corridors for better public transport options into our urban centres, increase capacity on key road and rail links between district hubs, and enhance rail stations.

For more information on West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund please visit this link: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund/

This scheme has funding allocated to it as part of the CIP2 programme and therefore the funding will not be able to be spent on any other proposals or scheme. However the scheme still requires business case approval to move forward.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority was formed in April 2014 to be the driving force for economic growth across the Kirklees, Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale and Wakefield districts and the City of York Council area.  The West Yorkshire Combined Authority brings together key decision-making powers into a single body.  To find out more visit: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk (opens in a new page)

We welcome the opinions and feedback of anyone. Whether you live or work in the area or just travel through your views, opinion and insight is valuable to us to shape our project. Please share the link www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a638 with anyone you think would be interested in taking part. If you intend to submit a joint response on behalf of a group/organisation, please share the link with your colleagues/members so they have the opportunity to provide an individual response, should they wish to do so.

The engagement is open from June 21th to July 18th 2021

You can take part by:

• Completing our survey here: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a638
• Asking a question in the question and answer (Q&A) section of the page
• Sending us an email at yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
• Writing to us to our free post address (no need for a stamp): FREEPOST Consultation Team (WYCA)*

*Please note that, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the majority of our staff are working from home and therefore there will be significant delays in receiving any postal contributions. It is strongly recommended that you contact us by email address or using our online survey. 

All personal information (such as age, postcode, gender) you provide will be anonymised and only used for analysis of the key findings and trends in this consultation. When we look at the feedback, we separate it by things like age and gender which helps us to understand how ideas may affect different groups of people. This helps us to develop our ideas.  You can read our Privacy Notice by clicking on this link (opens in a new tab). 

Provide your contact information by clicking on the ‘sign up’ banner on the side of the project page. You will receive information by email about the project. For social media updates on this project and other schemes being delivered by Wakefield Council, follow us on: Twitter: @WakefieldMDC | Facebook:  search for @mywakefield on Facebook or messenger.

Unfortunately, due to some restrictions in line with social distancing still being in force, we are unable to hold any drop-in events or do other face-to-face consultation. We are taking steps to make sure people in the local community know about the consultation and can have their say by putting up posters, posting leaflets and by providing information to Local Ward Councillors. 

If possible we hope to be able to arrange drop-in sessions at key locations on the corridor. The details of any drop sessions will be publicised using the Wakefield Council Facebook page and via updates to this page. Please check the webpage regularly for updates.

Your comments will help inform the current plans and provide an opportunity to identify any issues that we are not aware of. The Full Outcome Report for the project will be published on the engagement page: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a638

Updates will be provided on our website and to those who have registered to follow the project via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a638 (opens in a new page)