Wakefield Summer of Action
Residents and businesses deserve a city centre that is clean, safe and welcoming.
We know bigger changes are needed for the future, and we are continuing to develop longer-term plans for Wakefield city centre. But we also know people want to see improvements now.
That's why we're launching a Summer of Action. A focused programme of improvements that people will see and feel over the coming months.
From highway improvements and environmental maintenance to tackling anti-social behaviour, we're taking immediate action to make Wakefield city centre a place everyone can be proud of.
“Residents and businesses deserve a clean, safe and welcoming city centre. Getting this right is at the heart of how we can build a sense of positivity and momentum across our district. We want to make all our urban centres welcoming, clean, and safe places to visit. To encourage more footfall, boost local spending and help our local economy to grow and create more opportunities for local people. We know bigger changes are needed for the future. While we develop longer-term plans, we’re starting with immediate improvements people will see and feel now.”
Cllr Karl Johnson
Leader of Wakefield Council
Improving our streets
A programme of highway improvements will help make the city centre safer and more welcoming for everyone.
This summer, works will include:
- Road resurfacing on key routes including Wood Street, Westgate and Marygate
- Repainting road markings around the city centre to improve road safety
- Improvements to the pedestrianised Silver Street
- Reusing materials from Silver Street to upgrade other locations across the city centre
These improvements will help create a better environment for residents, visitors and businesses.
A cleaner, more welcoming city centre
We're stepping up day-to-day maintenance across Wakefield city centre to improve its appearance and make it a more pleasant place to spend time.
This work includes:
- Enhanced street and pavement cleaning
- More litter picking and environmental maintenance
- Graffiti removal
- Refreshing bins and signage
- Working with businesses and residents to improve waste management
- Increased weeding and cleansing activity
Working together to improve safety
We're working with local businesses and West Yorkshire Police to tackle issues that matter most to residents and businesses.
Targeted enforcement days will take place throughout the summer to address:
- Street drinking
- Begging
- Fly-tipping
- Breaches of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)
- Other forms of anti-social behaviour
By working together, we can help ensure Wakefield city centre is a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.
"Creating a Wakefield that we can all be proud of takes genuine partnership working. We welcome this commitment from Wakefield Council and look forward to working alongside the Council, West Yorkshire Police, businesses and partners across the city centre to deliver positive improvements that benefit everyone.
"By working together, we can help create a better, brighter and busier Wakefield – a city centre that is clean, safe, welcoming and thriving for businesses, residents and visitors alike. We know that strong partnerships are key to achieving long-term success, and we're excited to play our part in supporting this shared vision for our city."
Danny Critchley
BID Manager, Wakefield BID
This is just the beginning
Our city centre needs significant change, and we know that won't happen overnight.
While longer-term regeneration plans continue to be developed, we're getting started now with practical improvements that will make a real difference to people's experience of the city centre.
This summer of action is the first step in creating a cleaner, safer and more welcoming Wakefield for residents, businesses and visitors.
Because you and our businesses deserve a city centre you can be proud of. And that work starts now.