Almost a quarter of a billion pounds of investment has been given
the greenlight today to transform every corner of West Yorkshire
and deliver its long-term ambitions to boost growth through
better transport connections, more high-quality homes, a skilled
workforce, and by making it a better place to live, work or grow
a business.
Mayor and the region's five council
leaders approved West Yorkshire's investment pipeline at a
meeting of the Combined Authority today (12 March), injecting
millions of pounds into projects for Bradford, Calderdale,
Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield.
Together, they approved £230 million in new funding for projects
that will deliver better transport links, improved walking and
cycling routes and new space for businesses to grow, in a bold
push to create a stronger, better-connected West Yorkshire that
works for all.
This builds on the multibillion-pound investment made in the
region since devolution and adds to the £2 billion integrated
settlement for West Yorkshire coming in April, which the Mayor
said illustrates how strong regional leadership and partnership
working is delivering for the people. The integrated
settlement will allow the Mayor and Combined Authority to have
greater flexibility over how and where money is spent across the
region.
Speaking ahead of the Combined Authority meeting in
Leeds, , Mayor of West
Yorkshire, said:
“This is a huge moment for West Yorkshire, as we deliver on our
promises and change lives for the better in every corner of our
great region.
“Almost a quarter of a billion pounds of investment will help us
to get shovels in the ground, boost public transport, build new
homes, and back the communities and businesses that keep our
region moving.
“With all five districts coming together to work as one West
Yorkshire powerhouse, we're rolling up our sleeves and getting on
with the job of building a stronger, greener, fairer and
better‑connected region – one that puts more money in people's
pockets and grows the UK economy.”
Building on the success of projects and developments already
ongoing in West Yorkshire, the investment pipeline includes the
following:
Bradford
- Bradford's City Village programme will see the delivery of
1,000 new homes as well as green spaces, shops, cafes, and
restaurants in the city centre. Over £13 million from the
Combined Authority is on track to be invested to help deliver the
first phase of the scheme.
- The Southern Gateway scheme will unlock new business space,
over 5,000 high quality homes and 23,000 jobs. The 126-hectare
regeneration site, set to be one of the largest in the UK, will
be boosted by the region's investments in rail and a mass transit
system.
- The Combined Authority today approved £1.3 million towards
improving junctions, footpaths, cycle lanes and bus journeys
between Tong Street and Bradford City Centre.
- Plans are underway to build a Low Carbon Hydrogen plant in
Bradford, which will be one of the largest low carbon hydrogen
production facilities in the UK.
Cllr , Leader of Bradford
Council, said:
“We welcome this commitment to invest in Bradford's future from
the Combined Authority, as well as its clear confidence in the
crucial part we play in the success of our region.
“Huge change is already well underway in Bradford. We're claiming
leadership on the hydrogen economy, improving transport from
footpaths, cycle lanes, and bus routes through to progressing the
new Southern Gateway station, which has the power to fast-track
Bradford's growth on a scale we haven't seen in decades.
“We're also taking strides forward on our ambitious City Village
– a development of up to 1,000 new homes, green spaces, and
public realm - which will be game-changing for the city centre.
“We're pleased Bradford has the continued support of the Combined
Authority as we drive these projects forward, paving the way for
new homes, new jobs and new cultural opportunities that will
shape our future for years to come.”
Calderdale
- A new rail station for Elland will be added to the Calder
Valley line as part of a £70 million scheme to improve existing
transport links and create new walking and cycling routes. The
station will also improve the town's connections with the wider
region including Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, and Manchester.
- Work is taking place to improve connectivity and
infrastructure through Brighouse and between Huddersfield and
Bradford. To better connect communities, major highway
improvements will take place on the A641 including plans to
install a new bridge and improve existing infrastructure to make
it easier to walk, wheel, cycle, use public transport or drive.
- Plans are in place to transform a large site at Clifton, near
Brighouse, into a business park which could create around 1,300
jobs. The project will also see the delivery of two new garden
communities that could unlock over 3,000, high-quality homes in
the area.
- There are also plans to add new homes, retail and leisure
space to Dean Clough, a Grade II listed mill complex in Halifax
town centre.
Cllr Scott Patient, The Deputy Leader of Calderdale
Council, said:
“Unprecedented investment is transforming Calderdale's towns and
places, from highways improvements and new infrastructure to
provide better links across the borough, region and beyond, to
new homes and business opportunities.
“We're also investing in people and skills, supporting brighter
futures, helping reach their potential, and playing a vital role
in driving economic growth.
“We're already seeing transformative projects make a real
difference to people's everyday lives. Further projects underway
or in the pipeline will accelerate these impacts, supporting our
ambitions to create opportunities, boost enterprise, and build a
greener, more resilient borough for everyone.”
Kirklees
- The £10.5 million Heckmondwike Bus Station will open in 2026
as the first Weaver Network bus station, with additional bus
stops, indoor seating, accessible facilities, and a green roof
with solar panels.
- Construction works for new footpaths, crossings and cycle
lanes will start across Dewsbury town centre following the
approval of £7.5 million at today's Combined Authority meeting,
and a further £10 million will improve transport links between
Batley and Dewsbury.
- West Yorkshire's Investment Zone will establish the region as
one of the world's most influential hubs for health technology.
Within the wider development of the Huddersfield
Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor, this includes the
remediation of the Gasworks Street South Site, unlocking growth
and innovation in healthtech and complementing the University of
Huddersfield's National Health Innovation Campus.
- Dewsbury Riverside could also see 3,000 homes built to the
south of the town centre, creating new green spaces and a network
of new garden communities. The site will see transport
connectivity unlocked through the Transpennine
Route Upgrade.
Cllr Carole Pattison, Leader of Kirklees Council,
said:
“This is another welcome boost for our
economy. Across Kirklees, we're seeing investment in our
transport and economic infrastructure which will deliver jobs and
opportunities for families and communities long into the
future.”
Leeds
- A commitment to a new Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway Train
Station will serve the airport, making way for smoother transport
for travellers, and for those commuting to work. This will
further support Leeds Bradford Airport's Vision 2030, backed
by £200 million in private investment, to improve passenger
experience as the airport reaches an anticipated seven million
passengers a year by 2030 and the creation of up to 5,500 new
jobs.
- To boost access to busy areas in Leeds, over £73 million was
approved today towards improvement works for the city's roads.
This includes improving bus lanes, footpaths and crossings in
Headingley and Armley.
- Leeds Innovation Village, a flagship project of the West
Yorkshire Investment Zone, will offer offices, lab space and
new housing and business space. It will accelerate high-growth
sectors including healthtech, with the regeneration of the Old
Medical School representing a significant investment to
accelerate innovation and job creation.
- Identified by the New Town Taskforce as a potential site for
a ‘new town', up to 13,000 new homes could be built at Leeds
South Bank over the next few years. The New Towns area would
focus on shaping the area south of the city centre and will
complement ongoing developments such as Saxton Lane, where 200
fully affordable homes are currently being delivered, as well as
Regent Street, where 185 modern apartments have been completed
Cllr , Leader of Leeds City Council
said:
"In Leeds we have unlocked a number of nationally significant
growth opportunities that represent one of the most ambitious
transformation pipelines in the UK. With a track record of
delivering on major infrastructure projects through raising
public and private sector finance and through successful
collaborations as Team Leeds we know we stand in a strong
position.
"Working with our fellow authorities from across the region, West
Yorkshire is proving that our collective strengths are the key to
continuing to deliver at scale, through securing long-term,
locally led investment which will continue to transform our local
economies."
Wakefield
-
The Combined Authority will purchase
land at Newton Bar and build a brand new, all-electric bus
depot at a cost of around £60 million. The first, purpose-built
Weaver Network bus depot will create a modern base for up to
125 electric buses, improving reliability and helping deliver
cleaner, more efficient bus services in Wakefield.
- Subject to final Cabinet consideration, The Ridings Shopping
Centre in the city centre will be transformed to make way for
over 1,000 new homes as well as leisure and retail spaces. The
government has committed £17.9 million towards the first phase of
the project.
- Castleford will benefit from a new investment of £11.9
million towards new footbridge, toucan and pedestrian crossings,
as well as new cycle routes from the town centre along the banks
of the River Aire to Wheldon Road near Fryston village.
- The Combined Authority has today approved funding of £4
million towards expanding office space in Wakefield at the
Langthwaite Enterprise Zone, which aims to accelerate local
economic growth by offering incentives to businesses to establish
or expand their operations.
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of
Wakefield Council, said:
“Our ambitious plans for Wakefield will improve transport
connectivity, make sure more people have a place to call home,
and drive more investment right across our district.
“The pipeline of projects set out today will help transform our
local economy in a way that makes sure everyone feels the
benefits of growth. Our local, regional, and nationally
partnership working is delivering real change to help all of our
places to be even better environments to work, visit, and live
in.”
The future investment pipeline builds on the success of projects
already in delivery for the region.
- Working with government, the Combined Authority has secured
£200 million of funding to deliver a Mass Transit system for West
Yorkshire between 2021 and 2027, with a commitment for further
investment from 2027 to 2032. Plans are progressing to finally
bring a Mass Transit system to West Yorkshire, starting with
routes in Leeds and from Leeds to Bradford.
- The Combined Authority's plans build on the huge investment
being made into the TransPennine Route Upgrade, and will
complement the transformational £45 billion promised by the
Government for Northern Powerhouse Rail.
- The Combined Authority has taken the decision to bring buses
back under public control, with a fully-franchised network set to
run throughout West Yorkshire by late 2028. This will allow the
Combined Authority to set fares, routes and timetables.
- An investment of £46 million is helping to transform the main
entrance of Leeds Railway Station and the surrounding area.
Ongoing works have seen the addition of a 700-space cycle hub,
segregated cycle lanes, and a pedestrian priority area.
- The Combined Authority has saved passengers £76 million by
capping bus fares since 2022.
- To build a better-connected region, the Combined Authority
has invested £111 million towards new and upgraded bus stations
in Castleford and Halifax and rail stations in Kirkstall Forge,
Apperley Bridge and Low Moor.
- The Combined Authority is dedicated to improving active
travel and has delivered 149 kilometres of new or improved
walking, wheeling and cycling routes. Over £1.7 million has also
been invested across 33 walking and cycling hubs since 2022.
- West Yorkshire is one of the fastest builders of houses in
England since the financial crisis of 2008. Investment in
brownfield housing delivery will continue to create new, thriving
communities, across the region, with over 6,000 homes in the
pipeline.
- Last year, the Combined Authority launched Home Energy West
Yorkshire, a free advice service, to help everyone in the region
to lower their energy bills by making their homes warmer and more
comfortable.
- Combined Authority-funded adult skills courses have seen
298,000 enrolments, with people gaining the skills they need to
succeed and secure well-paid jobs.
- The Combined Authority has invested over £13 million in
Culture, Heritage and Sport, attracting over £300 million in
additional public funds and supporting 54,000 local jobs.
- Over £4.4 million has been invested in 460 grassroots
projects to empower communities and improve public safety.
