Castleford connections

Overview

The Council has secured £23.9m of funding from the UK Government’s Towns Fund for Castleford.

This external grant funding will be used to deliver a series of projects (Castleford Riverside, Castleford Boho (Sagar Street), Heart of Castleford and Castleford Connections which will create a distinctive riverside market town.

The completed projects will bring more businesses, visitors, and opportunities into our town centre, creating attractive new areas for everyone to enjoy.

We’ve carried out extensive public consultation on the design of the Town Deal projects, which have received endorsement from the Castleford Together Town Deal Board which is supporting the Council to drive this work forward.

At the time of approval of the external grant funding, the projects were very much at concept design stage with estimated costings, since this time further detailed design and consultation with the Castleford Together Town Deal Board has been required to reflect the on the ground position with the projects.

Castleford Connections

The Castleford Connections project aims to make sure people can find their way around the town centre with ease. The first phase focuses on the area around Castleford Train Station.  

The project will make it easier for pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists to move between the bus and train station, the town and river, with: 

Clearer signage

We’re improving signage across the town, making it easier to find popular locations like heritage attractions, Castleford Market, the riverside, and transport links like the bus station, the train station, and car parks. 

More greening

We want to make the most of our natural environment and to promote biodiversity. Our landscaping projects are supporting these priorities, including urban greening to improve public spaces. 

More quality seating

We all have different levels of fitness and mobility. So, we’re providing a variety of new seating in key locations across Castleford, so that everyone can enjoy the town centre and have a rest when they need one.

Impact

The initial phase of this project will improve connectivity in Castleford. Future projects will then look at ways we can improve your access to Xscape/Junction 32 and the Housing Zone surrounding the town.

Progress Update

We’ve installed additional CCTV cameras and improved street lighting in several key areas around the train station.

The overhead Welbeck Street canopy has been demolished. This has transformed an area that was previously a hotspot for anti-social behaviour into a safer and more open route between the train station and the town centre.

Later in 2025 there will be more new lighting installed and the unveiling of some new public artwork. Work is ongoing to improve the Beancroft Subway with improved lighting and new artwork, with Tickle Cock Bridge also benefitting from new artwork.

The budget for this is still available and the current deadline to spend the funding is end March 2027.

Timeline

• Early 2024: Train station connectivity work started
• Spring 2025: Train station connectivity work completed
• May 2025: Installation of new mural on Welbeck Street
• Autumn 2025: Wider town centre connectivity work starts
• Spring 2027: Wider town centre connectivity work completed