FAQs
Background
Improvements to the Park Road/Racecourse roundabout which includes:
Signalised toucan crossing (on A639 south arm)
Parallel crossing (Pontefract Park Road arm)
New parallel priority crossing (access to the industrial estate)
Improvements to cycle way around the roundabout
Widening the carriage way to add an extra lane in each direction
New 3 metre wide shared and segregated cycle and walking path ways between Park Lane junction and Princes Drive via the improved roundabout
Improved bus signal priority for northbound traffic on the A639 Park Road
Improved cycle route between Park Lane Junction and Glasshoughton Station/Retail Park/Xscape
New toucan crossing on Beechnut Lane and off carriageway shared used footway.
What is being proposed?
Proposed improvements include:
Who is responsible for delivering the scheme?
The scheme is being delivered by Wakefield Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The Combined Authority works with Local Authorities and businesses across West Yorkshire to create economic growth through large and small scale infrastructure projects such as this.
What is the total cost of the scheme?
This project has been awarded £12.4m through the Department for Transport (DfT).
The reasons for the plans
Poor walking and cycling provision.
Congestion especially during evening peak and weekend events.
This road has experienced a large increase in demand due to nearby housing and leisure developments.
There are no bus lanes or other priority measures for buses along the corridor.
Air and noise pollution.
Minimise congestion at a key junction on the Park Road Corridor (that will benefit all road users).
Encourage a shift towards more walking and cycling and the use of public transport.
Improve bus journey times and bus reliability on the route.
Support future developments near the A639 Park Road.
Improve air quality by reducing emissions.
Improve access to employment and education centres via sustainable modes of travel.
Replacement of the A639 Park Road / retail park / Pontefract park and racecourse roundabout with a new four arm traffic signal junction. This would have improved access for walkers and cyclists crossing the A639. However, it was met with strong opposition and we excluded it from the scope, instead providing improvement to walking and cycling crossings at the junction.
Improved walking and cycling environment on the A639 Park Road.
Improved cycle route between Pontefract town centre and junction 32 retail park/ Xscape either by either improving the existing off road route (option 1) or by developing a new route part of which runs next to the A639 Park Road (option 2).New bus priority measures at Park Lane Junction and New Racecourse Junction either by introducing physical bus lanes (option1) or by using bus detectors on the approach to the traffic signals (option 2).
Why do we need to do something?
In 2021 we engaged on the initial plans for this scheme. It was highlighted that there were several transport related problems and issues identified on the A639 Park Road route:
Without an intervention all the identified problems will worsen in the future, potentially constraining continued investment and growth in Pontefract and Castleford. The proposal will help to minimise congestion, providing infrastructure to support walking, cycling, public transport, improving journey times and improving journey quality.
What do you hope to achieve by making the improvements?
The A639 Park Road scheme aims to:
Why isn’t the ‘pinch point’ at the railway bridge plan of the improvement plans?
On Park Road the railway bridge creates a “pinch point” just south of De Lacy Way that restricts the road to 1 lane in either direction. To remove this constraint by widening the bridge (or providing a second bridge nearby to add extra lanes), would be very expensive and is far in excess of the available budget for this project.
Therefore, bus priority measures are proposed for Park Road to try and solve this issue.
What public engagement has been done previously on this route?
In the summer of 2021, we engaged with the public on this section of the A639 and provided two options for feedback. The options in 2021 were summarised as:
What has been the delay in progressing this scheme?
We engaged in 2021 with the initial plans for the A639 Park Road, Pontefract scheme however at that time there was no funding available following the submission of the outline business case (OBC). This scheme was placed on a ‘reserve list’ should more funding become available and money has been found and allocated through DfT (Department for Transport) funding and now we are engaging again ready for a full business case (FBC) submission.
What are the timescales for delivering the scheme?
These are the final plans for this scheme and we are seeking your support on these proposals, a Full Business Case is intended to be submitted in early 2026.
The scheme, including construction, needs to be completed by spring 2027 as that is the end of the funding provided through DfT (Department for Transport) funding.
Will there be any disruption for access to the area during construction?
We currently expect construction to start in 2027 and finish in 2028. 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.
How will these proposals affect parking spaces, loading or drop-off for local businesses and Blue Badge parking?
This scheme does not move or impact any of the parking spaces, loading or drop-off parking.
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.
Funding
Who is paying for the improvements? Where is the money coming from?
The Improvements planned on the A639 Park Road scheme are part of a government funded programme through the DfT (Department of Transport). The funding is to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK.
Can the money be spent on other things? (e.g. bus services, other projects)
The funding allocated to this scheme cannot be spent on any other proposals or schemes.
Find out more and provide your feedback
Twitter: @WakefieldMDC
Facebook: search for @mywakefield on Facebook or messenger.
Thursday 21 November 1pm-4pm at Pontefract Racecourse, Paddock Self Service Dining Room Pontefract Road, Pontefract, WF8 4QD
Monday 9 December 3pm-6pm at Aspire @ The Park, Pontefract Park, Park Road, Pontefract, WF8 4QD.
Completing our survey here: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a639parkroad/surveys/survey
Asking a question via our question and answer (Q&A) tool
Sending us an email at yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
Writing to us to our freepost address (no need for a stamp): FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM WYCA
Who can take part in the public engagement? Can I let other people know about it?
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/a639parkroad 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.
What will the personal information I provide be used for?
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).
How do I keep up to date with the A639 Park Road, Pontefract scheme?
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:
When can I take part?
The engagement is open from 14 November to 11.59pm on 11 December 2024.
Where can I find out more information on the scheme?
To see our plans in more detail, you can visit them here (link to online plans). There you view our engagement material, including scheme plans and fill out our questionnaire.
We are hosting drop in events on:
You will get chance to speak to the project team, ask questions, look through the plans and fill out a questionnaire.
We are also hosting an online event and further details of this will be provided shortly on the scheme page. Our team will talk through the proposed improvements and answers your questions about the scheme.
How can I take part?
You can take part by:
How can I contact the project team?
You can contact us via email at yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk or call us on 0113 245 7676 (MetroLine Contact Centre).
Next steps
What will you do with the results?
Your comments will help understand your support of this scheme following the previous consultation. The Full Outcome Report for the project will be published on the engagement page: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a639parkroad.
How will my feedback be used?
All feedback gathered from the public engagement will be analysed and will be used to show how we’ve met your expectations following the 2021 consultation.
Will you keep me updated on progress?
Updates will be provided on our website and to those who have registered to follow the project via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a639parkroad.