Leaders to pledge extra £73m towards tackling West Yorkshire’s pothole problem
Proposals to invest more than £100 million in tackling potholes and making the region’s roads safer are expected to be approved by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority next week.
20 July 2023
As part of these funding commitments, more than £73 million will go towards tackling potholes by resurfacing hundreds of roads across West Yorkshire’s vast network.
Further improvements to walking and cycling, as well as pedestrian safety, are also covered in the plans to help revamp the region’s roads over the next two years.
The funding was allocated via the Government’s City Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which West Yorkshire unlocked when it became a Mayoral Authority in 2021.
As part of the works, more than £67 million will go towards resurfacing 970 roads and 245 pavements across West Yorkshire – as the Combined Authority continues work towards improved road surfacing to minimise the risk of future potholes.
Breakdown of funding for road resurfacing works:
Bradford - £14,761,000
Calderdale - £7,315,000
Kirklees - £15,801,939
Leeds - £17,719,592
Wakefield - £11,700,000
West Yorkshire Total = £67,297,53
An extra £6.5 million will also be spent from the Department for Transport’s pothole fund to tackle some of the most urgent pothole problems.
Money from the CRSTS will also go towards hundreds more works to improve drainage, structures and street furniture. Millions more from the scheme will be spent on various walking and cycling infrastructure to boost active travel.
Another £4.4 million will go towards measures to increase safety on West Yorkshire’s roads, including traffic calming, pedestrian and cycle facilities, speed limit reductions and parking management.
The money for the schemes will be distributed between West Yorkshire’s five local authority areas. A decision is expected to be made at the forthcoming West Yorkshire Combined Authority meeting on Thursday, July 27.
Cllr Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways, said:
“The money from WYCA will make a real difference to everyone who lives and works in the district.
“Along with our own funding we are investing a total of £13 million, until April next year, to make improvements that will make it safer for people to walk, cycle and drive.
“We are resurfacing our roads, fixing bridges, and ensuring we keep our roads and footpaths well-maintained. Road safety is also a priority and we are replacing existing and missing signs, road markings and reflective studs.”
Cllr Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said:
“We welcome the announcement of this funding for maintenance of our highways in Leeds. Whilst Leeds City Council has invested heavily in highways maintenance for many years, Leeds faces a maintenance backlog on our road network.
“We are also pleased to see funding being approved for road safety, supporting our West Yorkshire Vision Zero Strategy to eliminate people being killed or seriously injured on our roads by 2040.”
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport at Bradford Council, said:
“The £14.8m funding over two years for road resurfacing across the Bradford district is very welcome.
"It comes at a time when we are already significantly investing in a strategic programme to improve the district’s roads, creating sustainable transport corridors that will reduce journey times, enhance safety and improve air quality.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Jenny Lynn, said:
“It’s great news that Calderdale will receive a share of this significant funding to improve roads across West Yorkshire
“We understand the importance of good quality roads and this funding will be a huge help, as we continue to do all we can to tackle road defects, like potholes. Improving road surfaces benefits all road users, including those who choose active travel methods, like cycling.”
Cllr Masood Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment at Kirklees Council, said:
“We are grateful to be receiving this funding from WYCA which will help to deliver our rolling two year Highways Capital programme in improving highways in Kirklees, benefitting all roads users.”
The papers for the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are online now and available here.