A638 Doncaster Road, Wakefield - Corridor Improvement Programme
This engagement has now closed, thank you for taking part.
164 people completed our public survey. Nine out of ten of you said you agreed that investment to improve transport is needed in the area. Generally, you said you agreed with the proposals. You also made suggestions for some changes and raised some concerns.
You can read the outcome report here.
Your feedback has helped to shape the scheme designs. We will be consulting on these updated designs in summer 2025. Your feedback will help us to finalise our plans. Please click 'subscribe' if you'd like to stay updated - will email you when the second consultation launches.
The project team will submit their Final Business Case for the project in early 2026. We then hope that construction will begin towards the end of 2026.
The information below was shared during the consultation period:
A638 Doncaster Road, Wakefield
Corridor Improvement Programme
Public engagement
Wakefield Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is looking to make improvements to the A638 Doncaster Road in Wakefield and would like your feedback on the proposed improvements.
The Corridor Improvement Programme (CIP) is part of a West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund package of highway related schemes. The CIP aims to provide low and medium cost interventions on the key highway network to deliver benefits for all road users, with an emphasis on reducing journey times in order to make it easier for people to get around the area and travel to work as well as improving air quality and associated health benefits.
Some of the main issues identified on the A638 Doncaster Road section are:
- High volumes of traffic and limited crossing facilities available make it hard for walkers and cyclists to cross the road
- Excessive noise and air pollution created by traffic congestion
- Inconsistent bus priority and poor bus journey reliability
- Inadequate walking and cycling facilities along the route and connecting to the route.
The improvements on the A638 Doncaster Road between the junction with the A655 Black Road at Heath Common and the A61 Barnsley Road at Chantry Bridge are key to providing the Wakefield City area with the infrastructure it needs to support development.
The proposals seek to:
- provide new or improved cycle routes that link residential areas to the city centre away from the main road, with high quality, safe and secure routes.
- improve access to bus stops, with new crossings aligned to desire lines for those walking to / from bus stops.
- improve the bus lane at the end of the A655 Black Road as it approaches the A638 Doncaster Road to provide better provision for buses and other road users.
It is expected that these changes will enable the local road network to operate more efficiently by encouraging more people to walk and cycle or travel by bus, while also increasing the ability to meet net carbon zero target, improved environmental outcomes and the opportunity for growth.
The plan (opens in a new window) illustrates the proposals, highlighting the proposed changes to the existing highway network associated with the scheme.
- New signalised crossing for walkers and cyclists at Sugar Lane.
- Two alternative options for a new crossing near the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road junction to provide new facilities for cyclists as well as walking access to bus stops.
- Revisions to bus stops on Doncaster Road to provide laybys and better access on foot from the surrounding residential areas.
- Three alternative options to improve the bus lane on Black Road approaching the junction with the A638 at Heath Common.
- Improvements to the riverside cycle and footpath (new lighting, CCTV and a tarmac surface) between the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road and Chantry Bridge.
- New signed cycle routes on routes that feed onto Doncaster Road and connect to the riverside cycle route.
This engagement has now closed, thank you for taking part.
We have created an extensive list of frequently asked questions and you can find these here (opens in a new page). However, if you have another question, please write it here and we will try to get a response back to you as soon as possible.
Please note that any question you ask will be visible to all visitors to this site, so please do not include any personal information - alternatively you can email us.