£7m bypass to ease congestion and allow development moves closer

PLANS FOR a new £7m bypass around a Yorkshire town have been submitted.

The new road in Castleford, which will link the roundabout at Bruce Smeaton Way and Cutsyke Road to Whistler Drive on the south side of Glass Houghton, is designed to ease congestion in the area. The plans drawn up by Wakefield Council say the link road will not only ease congestion but unlock opportunities for further housing and business development along the proposed stretch of just under a mile.

Planning permission has already been established for mixed use of the surrounding site, including the new sports stadium, 1,120 homes, restaurant/pub use, and office and light industrial development.

A statement drawn up by the council reads: “It will provide the opportunity to open up land to create new homes and jobs and contribute towards building a strong economy and encourage strong, vibrant and healthy communities.

“The Glass Houghton Southern Link Road will provide a more direct route to the leisure and retail area from Wakefield and Normanton, reduce congestion, improve journey times and improve accessibility.”

Finer details of the road show that it would be more than seven metres wide and have a 30mph speed limit.

There would also be a footpath on the southern side of the road, a cycle and footpath running along the north side and a new pedestrian crossing. Harworth Estates and Waystone Ltd have agreed to dedicate land for the project.

The road scheme is expected to be funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the West Yorkshire Transport Fund.