Transforming Cities - A61 and A639

West Yorkshire Combined Authority, working in partnership with Wakefield Council and Leeds City Council, is investing £22.5m in two key roads connecting the Wakefield District with Leeds – the A61 and A639.

It is part of £317m allocated to Leeds City Region (LCR) from the Government's Transforming Cities Fund (TCF). The TCF aims to change how people travel, reduce car journeys, better connect people with employment, education and training opportunities and support healthier lifestyles.

Currently, users of the A61 and A639 often experience delays, especially at peak times. The plans being developed aim to encourage more people to travel by bus, bike and on foot, creating a better, safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.

A61

The A61 serves communities including Outwood and Stanley to the north of Wakefield and Belle Vue and Sandal to the south.

Proposals include:

• Priority for buses at Canal Lane junction, upgraded bus stop and safe crossing point for pedestrians
• New bus lanes in both directions between Woodcock Street and Walton Lane
• New cycle lanes in both directions between Woodcock Street and Agbrigg Road, and Sandal Cliff and Castle Terrace
• Upgraded traffic lights at the junctions with Manygates Lane, Walton Lane, Chevet Lane and Standbridge Lane
• Improved pedestrian crossings, including outside Sandal Castle Primary School

A639

The A639 serves communities including Normanton, Glasshoughton, Castleford and Pontefract.

In Glasshoughton, the scheme would create a new shared bus and cycle lane between Barnes Road and Thunderhead Ridge roundabout (eastbound) and improve the pedestrian crossing outside Wakefield College's Castleford campus.

In Pontefract, the plans include new shared bus and cycle lanes on the A645 Southgate, in both directions, as well as trees and planting.