Taking action to refresh our city centre
Friday, July 31, 2026
We want to restore pride in our communities and make everyday life better for residents, business and visitors. A first step in doing that is our Summer of Action which is underway in the city centre – a plan to make the area safer, more accessible and more welcoming.
Residents have told us they are not happy with the state of the roads, from potholes and faded road markings, to utility companies replacing paving with tarmac.
Works have now started on resurfacing several key roads, including Westgate, Marygate and Wood Street. With work already completed on King Street and Silver Street.
“We want our city centre to be a place that we can all be proud of. Alongside our programme of highway improvement works across the district this year, we’ve started work to make our roads safer, cleaner and more modern right in the heart of Wakefield.
“We’re resurfacing key roads, repainting road markings across the city centre, and refurbishing street furniture, such as the benches around the Bull Ring. These improvements will help make everyday journeys easier and more enjoyable for everyone who comes into our city.”
Cllr Keith Anderson
Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Highways
Some of the current paving used on pathways in the city centre is no longer available. Unfortunately Silver Street had excessive amounts of tarmac patches, so the opportunity was taken to upgrade the area with coloured tarmac that blends into the surrounding area whilst recovering the usable paving to be repurposed in other location in the city centre to remove patches of tarmac.
The improvements are part of our ongoing investment to enhance highways and public spaces across the district. They will help to create a safer, more attractive city centre.