First Growth Deal transport project underway

Construction of the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road, the first transport project funded as a result of the £1bn transport fund for West Yorkshire and York, starts on Friday 26 June 2015.

Funding for the £33m scheme, which was secured as a result of the LEP’s Growth Deal with government in 2014 for projects across the Leeds City Region, will create jobs and growth and ease congestion between the north and east of the city.

The 5.5km road will be built by Wakefield Council and will provide a link around the city from Aberford Road in the north to Doncaster Road in the south. Clearance work has already taken place and the road will be opened to traffic around Spring 2017.

LEP Chair, Roger Marsh said:

“This is the first game-changing transport project to start on site as a result of our historic Local Growth Deal secured last year. This important project will support us to unlock the untapped economic growth in our region and enhance the local area by better connecting people to jobs and goods to market.

“This is another great example of the public and private sectors working together to bring economic prosperity to our great cities, towns and villages and improve the region for generations to come.”

WYCA Chair Cllr Peter Box said:

“The benefits the new Wakefield Eastern Relief Road will deliver are in line with the Combined Authority’s and LEP’s shared aims is of creating an environment where businesses can grow, 62,000 new, good quality jobs can be created, and young people can find a job or training opportunity.

“This new link also goes through land where 2,500 of the 65,000 new homes we want to see built to address our city region’s housing needs can be developed.”

Miller Homes is due to start building new homes on the site later this year. Once completed the City Fields will provide parks, retail and leisure facilities, and business premises all form part of the master plan for the area.

The new road will support growth by providing better access to the wider transport network and motorways for local businesses and residents.