FAQs
Background
to deliver a safe and coherent route through Carr Playing Field connecting Ackworth Mill Dam School to the Ackworth-Fitzwilliam walking and cycling schemes
to improve safety in the immediate area around Ackworth Mill Dam School
What is the programme background?
This scheme is funded by Active Travel England’s Consolidated Active Travel Fund. This fund was awarded to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is for the delivery of high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure. All capitally funded schemes in this programme have to be delivered by March 2028.
Who is responsible for delivering this scheme?
Wakefield Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
What is the total cost of the scheme?
The expected project is £475,000 with funding from Active Travel Fund secured through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and subject to business case approval.
Why do we need to make these improvements?
The aims are:
What is ‘active travel’?
Active travel is not just walking and cycling. It also includes wheeling, which covers assistive wheeled mobilities such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters or similar. It can also include pushchairs or buggies for children. Different groups may use these in different ways.
The Proposals
Proposed 20mph speed limit in the area
Shared use path being widened and resurfaced
Proposed shared-use path for people walking and cycling through Carr Bridge Playing Field
Proposed toucan crossing on Barnsley Road
Proposed junction changes at Chapel Garth, Millgate and Mount Pleasant
red at controlled crossing points
buff (beige/yellow) used as a warning at uncontrolled crossing points
What is being proposed for the Ackworth Safe Route to School scheme?
The proposals include:
Will any of the trees at Carr Playing Field be removed in creating a shared path?
The proposals include creating a shared-use path for people walking, wheeling and cycling through the park, with construction planned to follow a no-dig approach to minimise any impact on surrounding trees.
What is the Ackworth to Fitzwilliam station walking and cycling scheme?
The Ackworth to Fitzwilliam station route is a walking and cycling scheme funded by Active Travel England Tranche 4 (£2.6million), through funding awarded to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The scheme aims to fill the missing active travel link between Ackworth and Fitzwilliam station. The route will improve walking, wheeling and cycling connections and the potential for cycle-rail interchange at Fitzwilliam station.
The existing route is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) in length and primarily traffic-free, consisting of a mix of unmade footpaths, unbound gravel, and bound asphalt surfaces. Hence, it is not currently accessible to all users.
The scheme aims to improve the safety, accessibility, inclusivity, and attractiveness of the existing walking and cycling provision by upgrading it to LTN 1/20 standards. This should encourage the uptake of active modes locally.
The Ackworth to Fitzwilliam station walking and cycling scheme consultation has been completed and will be delivered in the future.
What are LTN 1/20 guidelines?
LTN stands for ‘local transport note’ guidance and this provides government guidance to local authorities on delivering high quality, cycle infrastructure. For more information you can visit the government’s website.
What is a toucan crossing?
A crossing where people walking/wheeling and people on cycles can cross together (two-can cross). People don’t have to get off their cycles to cross the road and can cross at any time if safe to do so.
Similar to puffin crossings, it also has sensors to detect if walkers/wheelers or cyclists are using the crossing. Toucan crossings have a green and red bike light alongside the red and green pedestrian lights.
What is tactile paving?
Paving with raised bumps that can be felt underfoot. This aids visually impaired and blind people to navigate the crossing. Those with less severe sight loss can also use the product’s colour coding to access extra information about their surroundings:
I have seen the term 'wheeling' used, what does it mean?
Wheeling is an equivalent alternative to foot / pedestrian-based mobility. It includes wheeled mobilities such as manual self- or assisted-wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters and rollators.
What is Vision Zero?
West Yorkshire Vision Zero is a road safety aim to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries across the whole region. It supports safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. It is based on the belief that no death or serious injury is acceptable on roads. You can find out more by visiting: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/policing-and-crime/communities/vision-zero.
What is a School Street?
School Streets restrict motorised traffic during school pick up and drop off times to make space outside schools more pleasant and safer for people walking, wheeling and cycling to school. To find more please visit - School Street: how to set up and manage a scheme.
Public engagement
Who can take part? Can I tell other people to take part?
We encourage all potential users of the scheme to fill out the survey. We would actively welcome you telling other people about the scheme.
What will you do with the results?
We will use the findings to shape the final scheme design.