Latest news with #WYCA
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Images show how planned £13m footbridge across busy road will look
NEW images show how a £13m footbridge over a busy road will look as the long-planned scheme finally takes a step forward. Proposals for a new crossing at the A629 between Steeton and Silsden date back years, but progress on the major project is finally being made. Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) recently held a public consultation on the project, which will see a combined pedestrian and cycle bridge built over the busy road. The feedback from the consultation has helped shape plans for the bridge, and new images showing what the crossing will look like have now been released. However, the costly project is only one part of wider plans, with a second phase to create new paths from the centres of Steeton and Silsden to the bridge currently unfunded. Reports written after the consultation say that more than 600 residents responded, with 85 per cent expressing support for the proposed bridge. There was also strong public backing for the proposed new crossing points and ramp linking the railway station to Station Road. One person responding to the consultation argued that an underpass or traffic light crossing would be better options. WYCA responded, saying: 'A bridge was considered the best option that aligned with the project's objectives as it achieved the separation required between traffic and those walking, wheeling or cycling to improve safety for all users. "Furthermore, there is less impact on traffic flow compared to a signalised crossing and there are greater safety and security benefits compared to an underpass. 'Flood risk would also be minimised when compared to an underpass.' One respondent said: 'I am concerned about unauthorised access by vehicles onto the bridge.' The Authority said it will now install additional bollards at either side of the bridge in response to these concerns. AN artist's impression of where the pedestrian/cycle route re-joins the highway (Image: WYCA) Another said the design should allow for horse riders to use the bridge. In response the authority says: 'The feasibility of accommodating equestrian users the bridge is being reviewed.' One respondent raised concerns over the huge cost of the bridge. In response, the Authority said: 'The bridge will be funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, subject to the development of a successful business case. 'The funding is separate from Council revenue funding for Council services and is ringfenced by central government for use only to deliver sustainable transport improvements and cannot be spent on council services.' The next stage of the project involves the submission of a planning application. Once planning is approved, the project team will move forward with the procurement of a construction partner. A full business case will be submitted to WYCA in early 2026. If the planning application and full business case are approved, the new bridge is expected to open in spring 2027.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Image of proposed Steeton to Silsden footbridge over A629 released
An image of how a £13m footbridge over a busy road will look has been released ahead of a planning application being Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) recently held a public consultation into the project, which will see a combined pedestrian and cycle bridge built over the A629 between Steeton and Silsden.A second stage, which is unfunded, would see new paths built from the centres of both areas to the public consultation attracted comments from 600 people in the area and 85% were said to have expressed support for the proposed bridge. There was also strong public backing for the proposed new crossing points and ramp linking the railway station to Station Road, according to the Local Democracy Reporting person responding to the consultation argued that an underpass or traffic light crossing would be better the WYCA said: "A bridge was considered the best option that aligned with the project's objectives as it achieved the separation required between traffic and those walking, wheeling or cycling to improve safety for all users."It added a bridge would have less impact on traffic flow and offered better safety and security benefits compared to an underpass. 'Sustainable transport improvements' The authority said it would also install additional bollards at the entrance to either side of the bridge, after another resident express concerns unauthorised vehicles might access the £13m cost of the proposal, the WYCA said it would be funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement "subject to the development of a successful business case"."The funding is separate from council revenue funding for council services and is ring-fenced by central government for use only to deliver sustainable transport improvements and cannot be spent on council services," a spokesperson next stage of the project involves the submission of a planning application and a full business case will be submitted to the WYCA in early the planning application and full business case were approved, the new bridge would be expected to open in spring 2027. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans to axe six West Yorkshire school bus routes moves ahead
Plans to axe six school bus routes in West Yorkshire have been confirmed, prompting criticism from councillors. West Yorkshire Combined Authority said last week it was considering cutting three buses in Bradford, one in Calderdale and two in Leeds from September each case, the authority said there were either alternate public transport services available, or that most children would be able to walk or cycle to a meeting on Thursday, members of the Combined Authority voted to approve the cuts but said they would "engage with affected schools to plan for proposed changes to services". The proposals came after a review of the school routes the authority subsidises, with West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin stating: "As we look to improve transport across West Yorkshire, we want to ensure services are equitable for all."Leeds Lib Dem councillor Stewart Golton said: "The primary driver behind this is presented as it being an issue of equity – that some parts are getting more than others."I believe instead of negotiating down, we should try to life everyone up to an equal benefit."According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Brabin said the planned franchised bus service – the Weaver Network - would improve buses across the board when it is introduced in 2027 and "connect young people to places they have never been connected to before". The services facing the axe include: B50 Eldwick to Beckfoot SchoolB99 Bradford city centre to Appleton AcademyS64 Baildon to Titus Salt School or S66 Baildon Primary to Titus Salt SchoolC6 Crossley Heath GrammarS62 Cockburn SchoolSM25 Ilkley to St Mary's MenstonThe WYCA has previously said it currently has arrangements in place for 328 buses carrying up to 20,000 pupils per day at a cost of £18.99m a year, of which 45% is funded by the combined remaining costs are funded by income from fares, council's across West Yorkshire and schools. 'Attacking choice' Tim Taylor, director of transport services, said Leeds and Bradford currently received higher subsidies for school buses than areas like Lamb, a Conservative councillor representing Wetherby, described the cuts as "an attack on choice".Pointing out that the authority had said some families would be able to walk and cycle to school if the routes were cut, he said: "If walking and cycling was the best option for children they'd already be doing it."It is not for this authority to make that decision for them."Ms Brabin acknowledged the changes could prove "stressful" but said the WYCA would work with schools between now and September 2026 to mitigate the changes. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Six West Yorkshire school bus routes facing the axe
Plans to axe six school bus routes in West Yorkshire have been described as "simply not acceptable" by a councillor in Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is considering cutting three buses in Bradford, one in Calderdale and two in said the plan would help "create a more equitable service across West Yorkshire" saying there were walking and cycling routes available to pupils of some of the schools Green councillor Kevin Warnes, who represent Shipley on Bradford Council, said it was "critical" that bus travel networks were maintained and expanded. WYCA, which subsidises numerous routes, will decide whether to move ahead with the changes on 24 decision comes after more than 3,700 people took part in a consultation on the future of these subsidised services facing the axe include: B50 Eldwick to Beckfoot SchoolB99 Bradford city centre to Appleton AcademyS64 Baildon to Titus Salt School or S66 Baildon Primary to Titus Salt SchoolC6 Crossley Heath GrammarS62 Cockburn SchoolSM25 Ilkley to St Mary's Menston Referring to cuts to the Titus Salt School service, Warnes said: "Cuts are not an option."These transport links are essential to support local families and enable people to make sustainable travel choices."He said school buses were an important way of mitigating traffic congestion."The withdrawal of any of these services is simply not acceptable."Independent councillor for Bingley Marcus Deardon said he was worried the authority would cut other school bus services next year which had been passed to them by Bradford Council."These cuts will result in extra vehicles clogging up the highways and possibly making it impossible for some students to access these schools." 'Safe and secure' According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, WYCA said it would work with councils and schools to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities are provided with said it currently has arrangements in place for 328 buses carrying up to 20,000 pupils per day at a cost of £18.99m a year of which 45% as funded by the combined remaining costs are funded by income from fares, council's across West Yorkshire and said guidelines for value money criteria set a maximum subsidy of £2.35 per passenger trip from September 2025 and services that do not meet the criteria will be "considered for withdrawal".Chair of WYCA's transport committee and Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: "It is vital that we provide safe and secure routes for children to get to school, and we want to ensure the policy is equitably applied across West Yorkshire."We will continue to engage with stakeholders and the parents and carers of the small number of children affected to ensure that every child has a suitable option to get to school." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- BBC News
£50k funding offered to encourage West Yorkshire 'active travel'
Community organisations have been urged to apply for funding of up to £50,000 to become "active travel hubs" in a bid to get more people walking, wheeling and cash would be used to create one-stop shops for people to access everything they needed to get around under their own power, according to West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).That would include equipment, training and group activities, as well as advice and support on routes, a spokesperson Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "We are encouraging people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling as a way of getting around, leading to healthier and happier lifestyles." "This will help us achieve our net zero ambitions and create a cleaner, greener West Yorkshire," Ms Brabin explained."I'd encourage all community organisations eligible to apply for this funding to come forward and get involved." 'Fantastic initiative' A previous £50,000 grant from WYCA's active travel hubs programme helped the creation of the Shipley Active Travel Hub in funding meant a manager could be employed to run the hub, the workshop could be renovated, bikes for cycling lessons could be bought and equipment for bike maintenance classes could be hub now supports hundreds of people to get out and about in the local Aylmer, the hub's manager, said: "We had a vision for an active travel hub in Shipley to make it more accessible for people to get out and about by bike or on foot, and the funding we received helped bring that to life."It's a fantastic initiative that has helped us provide all sorts of walking and cycling activities, from adult cycling lessons, bike maintenance classes and group rides, to cultural initiatives – and the people in our community have really benefited." Since 2022, WYCA has funded 26 organisations across the region as part of the walking and cycling hubs initiative, investing more than £1m over the next round of funding was now open for social enterprises, registered charities, community interest companies, local authorities and private limited companies registered in the UK to bid for up to £50,000 and expand the existing network, a WYCA spokesperson qualify for the funding, an organisation must be able to show it was committed to developing walking, wheeling and cycling in the community, they deadline for grant applications is midnight on 29 June. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
