FAQs
General
Enable and encourage more walking and cycling trips by providing a new, safer and joined up active travel route from Fryston/Airedale to Castleford town centre
Improve capacity and accessibility to unlock existing brownfield land to create up to 3,500 homes and up to 2,000 jobs
Reduce journey times to bring places and jobs closer together
Provide a transport network that supports growth, inclusion, accessibility and sustainability, reducing carbon emissions and delivering alternatives to car travel
Deliver improvements for people walking and cycling to serve all communities, improve road safety, and promote healthy lifestyles through active travel
Strategic Regeneration Framework – the SRF focuses on Castleford town centre and will help manage the development of the district’s largest town for the next ten to 20 years. The first stages of delivery will focus on the Town Deal programme, due for completion by March 2026. You can find out more here: www.wakefield.gov.uk/regeneration/the-towns/castleford/the-castleford-masterplans/
What is the Castleford Growth Corridor and Wheldon Road Bridge scheme?
The Castleford Growth Corridor and Wheldon Road Bridge scheme focuses on improvements to a 2.25km stretch of road from Castleford town centre along Wheldon Road to the existing road bridge.
Proposals will connect the town centre and Ferry Fryston via a new, continuous largely traffic-free route for people walking and cycling, including a new bridge over the railway. At this point, people cycling will be able to cross to the existing cycle lane on Wheldon Road, and people walking can continue on the existing pavement.
Wakefield Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is proposing a number of measures within the scheme, with the aim of easing congestion, improving connections, and making walking and cycling safer and more attractive.
A map of the route is shown here. LINK
What are the main objectives of the scheme?
The aims of this scheme are to:
Who is responsible for delivering the scheme?
Wakefield Council is responsible for delivering the scheme. The council is working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which works with local authorities and businesses across West Yorkshire to create economic growth and encourage sustainable travel through infrastructure projects such as this.
Who is paying for the project?
The scheme is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Department for Transport’s West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund (WY+TF) and the Wheldon Road Bridge element is being funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).
The WY+TF aims to deliver a number of strategic transport projects and to create about 20,000 new jobs. You can read more about the WY+TF here: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund/. (External link)
The £830 million CRSTS is aimed at providing an integrated and inclusive transport network and was made possible thanks to the West Yorkshire Mayoral devolution deal. This work will build on the significant investment already being made in making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport around West Yorkshire. You can read more about the CRSTS here: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/city-regional-sustainable-transport-settlement-crsts-and-levelling-up-fund/
Has there been any previous consultation?
Wakefield Council carried out a public consultation on the Castleford Growth Corridor scheme (not including the Wheldon Road Bridge) in November 2016. Feedback rated the existing highway as poor overall for motorists and people cycling. It highlighted congestion at peak times on Ferrybridge and Bridge Street roundabout and a lack of footpaths and cycle links.
Does this project relate to any other highways or regeneration projects?
The scheme has close relationships with the following schemes:
How will the proposals address the climate emergency?
The Castleford Growth Corridor scheme will contribute to Wakefield Council’s 2038 net zero vision, and the Combined Authority’s plan for a net zero carbon economy by 2038.
The scheme achieves this by encouraging more people to walk and cycle by making these options safer and more attractive, and by easing congestion.
Bus users, walking and cycling
How would the scheme affect buses using the corridor?
The proposals include an improved double bus stop lay-by in Castleford town centre, and bus passengers would benefit from improved journey times and reliability as a result of reduced traffic.
How would the scheme affect people walking and cycling using the corridor?
A key element of the scheme is to create a continuous, largely traffic-free walking and cycling route between Castleford and Ferry Fryston, through the creation of a two-way segregated cycle lane, shared used path, and pedestrian and cycle bridge over the ralway.
This would make it easier, safer, and more enjoyable for people to walk and cycle along this route.
The proposals also include a number of new and upgraded toucan and pedestrian crossings, and raised entries at junctions to improve safety when crossing. The signal crossings will provide better connections for people travelling by foot or bike.
Would the new cycle facilities impact on existing road space for cars?
The provision of new cycling infrastructure is achieved through existing available land and will not impact on road space for cars. There will be some changes to the parking layout at Bridge House, where the shared use path follows the edge of the existing car park.
Would the proposed cycle lanes prevent access to properties or make it unsafe where there is existing parking in place?
The proposed cycle facilities will be designed in line with the latest design recommendations from the Department for Transport where feasible to LTN1/20 - which will ensure safe access to properties as well as to parking is provided.
To deliver the proposed cycle lanes, there may be some parking and loading changes to business accesses, but early engagement with any affected parties will be undertaken.
What detailed technical work has taken place to determine benefits and impacts of the proposals? Can these be quantified?
A range of technical work has been carried out to inform the proposals and assess the potential benefits and impacts. These include traffic modelling, turning counts and speed surveys, junction modelling, and environmental and ecological surveys.
Impact on those living nearby
How will the scheme affect local residents and businesses?
We believe the scheme will provide improved travel facilities for local residents and businesses, however the purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of anyone who wishes to comment on the current proposals so we can better understand the potential impacts of the scheme.
The scheme will encourage people to use active travel modes of transport more, and improve safety for non-motorised users.
There may be some disruption during construction works, which would be communicated ahead of time.
What changes are proposed to current traffic arrangements?
Under these proposals, the right turns from Savile Road into Bank Street and Back Wesley Street would be removed, with the aim of easing congestion by maintaining traffic flow. Alternative routes into the town centre are available.
This proposal would result in Back Wesley Street effectively becoming one-way northbound.
Please refer to the plans for further information.
Would this scheme affect parking spaces, loading or deliveries for local residents and businesses and blue badge parking?
This scheme would have no impact on loading, deliveries or parking.
Will the proposals impact on an area of land I own?
At this stage it is anticipated that most of the construction work could take place within the existing highway boundary, or land owned by Wakefield Council. The current proposals do require land acquisitions by means of and purchase or Deed of Dedication. Negotiations are already taken place to acquire these lands
What would happen to trees located along the route?
The designs have been developed to try to avoid any tree loss and none is anticipated.
Would any work be carried out during the day, and what will you do to minimise any impact on businesses/residents?
The phasing of roadworks would be planned nearer the time of construction. At this time, residents and businesses will be provided with more information about what will happen, where and when.
A Construction Management Plan will be developed to minimise the impacts of construction activities on residents, businesses, and visitors.
Would any roadworks be carried out at night and what will you do to minimise any impact on residents?
The details of roadworks and timings will be determined closer to the time of construction. Roadworks would only be carried out at night in limited circumstances to meet traffic operational requirements and residents would be informed well in advance.
When would work start on site?
Construction of the scheme is projected to commence early in 2025.
The decision-making process
What is the decision-making process?
The scheme is reviewed through sequenced decision gateways in the Assurance Process of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. There are four business case decision points within this assurance process. At each stage, recommendations on the scheme are made by an officer-based appraisal team to the relevant committee(s) of elected members. So far, the scheme has currently passed through three of the four decision points.
What has been done so far?
Funding for the early phase of the scheme was secured through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to allow Wakefield Council to start developing and promoting the scheme. This has allowed us to undertake initial studies and business case development, optioneering and outline designing. This project has secured Combined Authority and Wakefield Cabinet approvals at the Outline Business Case stage.
What are the next steps?
This current round of consultation seeks public and stakeholders’ views on the proposed scheme. The outcome of the consultation will be reported and considered as part of the consideration of the Full Business Case.
A planning application is due to be submitted for the Wheldon Road Bridge element of the scheme in Spring 2024.
Having your say and staying informed
How can members of the public have their say on the proposals?
The consultation period will take place from 15 January until 12 February 2024. Members of the public can have their say via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/Castleford or email yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk. We are keen to hear from residents, businesses, and anyone travelling in this area.
How will we ensure the consultation will be accessible to people who do not have access to the internet?
Leaflets are being delivered to properties within 400 metres of the proposed scheme, and posters are being put up in the town. The consultation will also be promoted at events in the town centre. Anyone who cannot access the survey online and needs to request an alternative format can contact MetroLine on 0113 245 7676.
Who can take part? Can I tell other people to take part?
We welcome opinions and feedback from all members of the public. Whether you travel by public transport, walk, drive, or cycle, are a resident, business owner, or just travel through the area, your views, opinions and insights are valuable to us to shape the project. Please share the link www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/Castleford 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 can provide an individual response, should they wish to do so.
How will residents and businesses be kept informed on the progress of the scheme?
You can register to follow the project and have your say in any future consultations at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/Castleford. Updates on project progress will also be provided via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Wakefield Council webpages and via press articles. You can also contact your local ward Councillors. We will publish a report on the consultation response on this website.
Residents and businesses likely to be affected by future construction works would be contacted directly closer to the time of works starting.
About the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS)
What is the CRSTS programme and who is involved?
The £830 million City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) is aimed at providing an integrated and inclusive transport network and was made possible thanks to the West Yorkshire Mayoral devolution deal. This work will build on the significant investment already being made in making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport around West Yorkshire.
The Combined Authority is working in partnership to deliver schemes with local authority colleagues in Wakefield, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Leeds.
You can read more about the CRSTS here: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/city-regional-sustainable-transport-settlement-crsts-and-levelling-up-fund/
Can this funding be spent on other projects or improvements?
The funding awarded for CRSTS schemes by the Department for Transport is capital funding and can only be spent on the schemes for which it was awarded within the CRSTS bid. This means CRSTS funding cannot be reallocated to be spent elsewhere.
When will the programme of works be completed?
The programme is being delivered in phases. It is expected that all projects will be completed by the end of March 2027.
How does CRSTS complement other transport infrastructure schemes being delivered across the region?
It will build on the significant investment already made through the Combined Authority’s other programmes, such as the Transforming Cities Fund, the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and Levelling Up Fund.
How can I have my say on schemes in my area?
Details of the CRSTS consultations, along with consultations on many other schemes, can be found at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk, where you can register to hear directly about new consultations in your area.
You can also get in touch with the Combined Authority’s Communities, Consultation and Engagement team by emailing YourVoice@westyorksca-gov.uk, by calling 0113 245 7676, or by writing to Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA)