Consultation on the Wakefield Transport Strategy 2026-2040

By 2040, we want to be a...

• district with a safe reliable and sustainable transport network

• place with roads that are well looked after and support reliable journeys

• district where more people choose to walk, wheel or cycle

• place with public transport that is easy to use and dependable

• district where transport supports jobs, health and cleaner air

• place where communities, town centres and green spaces are better connected

Strategic objectives (our priorities)

The strategy is based on seven priorities:

1.  A transport system that serves everyone

2.  Supporting economic growth

3.  Promoting healthy lifestyles

4.  Reducing environmental impacts

5.  Restoring network quality

6.  Creating safe and welcoming communities

7.  Vision Zero road safety objectives

Instead of waiting for problems to happen, we want to fix and prevent them earlier.

We will:

• use new technology to help with managing assets

• Prioritising preventative maintenance between 2027 and 2032 to help keep roads in good condition

• Co-ordinating roadworks and utility works more effectively to reduce disruption

• Introduce a Lane Rental Scheme to help keep busy roads moving during roadworks

• Make our transport network better able to cope with flooding and extreme weather

We want to make our roads safer and reduce delays. We will use data and technology to help us make better decisions.

We will:

• review speed limits where needed

• support road safety enforcement

• work with Government to gain more powers to improve road safety

• provide more road safety education and awareness campaigns

• use technology and data to help manage traffic and reduce congestion

• reduce disruption caused by roadworks

Moving goods around the district is important for local jobs and businesses.

So, we will also:

• support the use of rail freight where possible

• improve how freight routes are managed

• support key logistics sites and infrastructure

• improve links involving motorways and other major routes

The Strategy provides a new approach to parking. It supports local people, businesses and town centres.

We will:

• provide parking where it is genuinely needed and appropriate

• make sure parking works alongside public transport

• manage on-street parking more effectively

• help protect residential parking for residents through permit schemes

• support town centres by providing the right parking in the right places

We will also:

• provide more electric vehicle charging points, including on street charging solutions

• support Hackney Carriage and private hire services

• Improve secure cycle parking

• improve coach parking and facilities to support visitors and tourism

Good transport helps people get to work, education, shops and services. It also helps businesses grow and stay connected.

We will:

• improve access to jobs and workplaces

• make it easier to travel between towns, villages and rural areas

• improve access to leisure, visitor and tourist destinations

• support major development and improvement projects

• make sure new developments encourage walking, cycling and public transport

• reduce transport-related social exclusion.

• help make travel easier for disabled people and others who may need extra support

Working with local people

We want local people to help shape transport improvements.

We will:

• listen to residents, businesses and community groups

• test some new transport schemes before making them permanent

• use feedback to help improve future plans and projects

Public transport is an important part of our plans for the future. We will work with WYCA and other partners to improve bus and rail services across the district.

Bus franchising and Weaver network

The Council will support WYCA to:

• bring buses under local control from 2028

• make it easier to change between buses, trains and other forms of transport

• make fares and tickets simpler

• provide better travel information

• improve the reliability and coverage of bus services

We will also challenge WYCA and work with them to:

• support the return of bus services that have been lost

• improve evening and weekend services

• improve bus links in rural areas

• help buses move more quickly and reliably

• support cleaner electric buses

• improve bus stops and bus stations

• provide safer and easier-to-use facilities

Rail improvements

We will support rail partners and others to provide:

• more frequent train services and better rail links

• easier access to stations

• better links between buses, trains, walking and cycling routes

• improvements to stations and passenger facilities

Future mass transit

We support plans to extend West Yorkshire's future mass transit system into the district.

We will work with partners to make sure Wakefield is ready to connect to the network in the future.

We want to make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle as part of their everyday journeys.

Making towns and streets easier to walk around

We will:

• improve road crossings

• provide better lighting to help people feel safe

• improve public spaces

• make our town centres more pedestrian friendly

Better walking and cycling routes

We will:

• create better links for walking and cycling

• improve connections to bus and train services

• fill gaps in walking and cycling routes

• use national design standards where possible

Public rights of way

We will:

• maintain key public paths and routes

• make routes easier to use throughout the year

• support both leisure and everyday journeys

Healthier communities

We will:

• create quieter and safer residential streets

• improve parking permit schemes

• encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling in local neighbourhoods

Safer routes to school

We will:

• promote School Streets and Safe Routes to School initiatives to make it safer for children to travel to school

• improve safety and air quality around schools

• encourage more children to walk, wheel or cycle independently

E-bikes and E-scooters

We will:

• explore opportunities for e-bike schemes

• consider future e-scooter schemes if national laws and guidance allow them

• look at how these options could support local travel

• 60% of trips taken by car

• 20% of trips taken by public transport

• 12% of trips walked or wheeled

• 8% of trips cycled

• 0 people killed or seriously injured on our roads

• Increase satisfaction in integration between transport modes

• 90% of young people feel safe walking or cycling to school

• 30% of jobs accessible by public transport within 30 minutes

• 95% reduction in vehicular emissions

• 95% of public transport services arrive on-time

• Consistently meet our air quality targets

• Double the number of council-operated car parks with Park Mark accreditation

• Restore bus service levels to 2019 levels

• Every on-street residential parking permit and designated parking zone offers EV charging

• Improved satisfaction in highway maintenance and quality of local roads

• 90% of homes with 45 minutes of Wakefield, Castleford or Pontefract centres by public transport

• Secure CPT Coach-Friendly accreditation in Wakefield and Pontefract

• Every bus stop with step-free boarding and crossing