Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The Wakefield Road Sustainable Travel Corridor Scheme is a package of improvements to bus, walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure along the A650 Wakefield Road from Dudley Hill Roundabout to Hall Lane near Bradford City Centre.

The scheme forms part of the wider A650 Connect proposals being developed by Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, including future improvements on Tong Street between Knowles Lane and the junction of Westgate Hill Street and Bradford Road (Near Tong Leadership Academy).

Wakefield Road is one of Bradford's busiest routes, with around 41,500 vehicles travelling along it each day. It connects Bradford city centre with Leeds, Kirklees and the wider road network, making it an important route for local journeys and longer trips. However, congestion and delays can make journey times less reliable, especially for people travelling by bus. Walking, wheeling and cycling facilities are also limited.

This matters because many households in the area do not have regular access to a car and rely on buses, walking, wheeling and cycling to get around. The scheme has been developed to make journeys safer, easier and more reliable, helping more people access jobs, education, healthcare and local services. It will also give people more travel choices by improving conditions for bus users and people walking, wheeling and cycling.

• Bus improvements: 1.67km of dedicated bus lanes and priority measures in both directions will make buses more reliable and convenient and provide an attractive alternative to the private car.
• Improved bus stops: Eleven upgraded shelters with seating, lighting and real-time information will make waiting for a bus feel more comfortable and safer.
• Safer crossings: Five new toucan crossings, one new pelican crossing, three new parallel crossings and one new zebra crossing will be provided, alongside upgrades to three existing crossings. Together, these improvements will help make it safer and easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle, while improving accessibility and connections between communities on either side of Wakefield Road.
• Cycle paths: 1.9km of segregated two-way cycle lanes with a protective buffer from traffic and 0.8km of shared-use space will provide a safer and more direct route for cyclists and give cyclists and drivers their own space, making journeys safer and smoother for everyone.
• Improved footways: Pavements will be resurfaced, overgrown vegetation will be cleared and street lighting will be improved. This will make walking and wheeling along Wakefield Road easier, safer and more enjoyable,
• Landscaping: The scheme includes the planting of 32 additional trees, alongside other landscaping and public realm improvements such as new planting, enhanced green spaces and seating areas. These measures will help create a greener, more attractive streetscape, improve the experience of people using the corridor, and contribute to improved air quality and biodiversity.
• Subway removals: Four existing subways will be replaced with road-level crossings, improving accessibility.

The scheme has completed public consultation and an OBC was submitted to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and subsequently approved on the 12 March 2026. The scheme is in detailed design and a Full Business Case is planned to be submitted in early October 2026 for approval to progress to construction.

The Wakefield Road scheme, subject to a successful business case submission, is currently forecast to cost £23.75 million. The scheme will be delivered using funding provided to the Combined Authority by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Public consultation undertaken during the development of the Outline Business Case has now concluded.

As the scheme progresses towards Full Business Case approval, we will continue to engage with stakeholders, representative organisations, transport operators and elected members.

We will continue to engage with the local community into the construction phase and until completion, should the scheme be approved.

Currently, bus services are caught up in congestion at peak times. If bus services are held up in traffic, services can become unreliable and timetables are not met across the whole bus network. This undermines confidence in the service and means people cannot trust that they can use the bus to get to work, access appointments, or pick up children from school, on time. Bus lanes help buses move more efficiently and improve the reliability of services for passengers, and our proposals form part of improvements along the full corridor.

Existing cycling facilities along the route are limited, so people cycling often need to share the main road with other vehicles. This can feel uncomfortable for some road users and may make journeys less predictable. The scheme will provide safer and more direct routes which can be used for everyday journeys to work, school, shops and public transport connections.

Providing safe cycling infrastructure also helps ensure people who wish to travel this way have an appropriate alternative to driving.

The scheme reallocates some road space to support buses during peak hours, walking and cycling, with the aim of improving the reliability and accessibility of these travel options. By providing attractive alternatives to driving, it can encourage more people to travel by bus, on foot or by bike, helping to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability for all road users.

While many people will continue to travel by car, the scheme is designed to support these journeys too by improving the overall efficiency of the Wakefield Road corridor and making travel easier and more reliable for everyone.

Currently, bus services are caught up in congestion at peak times. If bus services are held up in traffic, services can become unreliable and timetables are not met across the whole bus network.

The scheme includes approximately 1.67km of bus lanes and other bus priority measures designed to reduce delays and improve reliability. In addition, 11 bus stops will be upgraded with improved passenger facilities, including shelters, seating, lighting, CCTV and passenger information.

The scheme includes new and improved crossing facilities, upgraded walking routes and the removal of four subways which will be replaced with road-level crossings.

These improvements are intended to make journeys safer, more accessible and more convenient, helping people move between communities and access employment, education, healthcare and local services more easily.

The proposals include approximately 1.9km of segregated bi-directional cycle lanes alongside around 0.8km of shared-use facilities – routes that can be used by both cyclists and pedestrians.

Together with the new and upgraded crossings, these improvements will provide safer and more connected cycling routes along the corridor and make it easier for people to choose cycling for everyday journeys.

We will also be looking at adding further cycle routes and shared footways in future projects in the area, subject to the availability of future funding and successful future business cases.

Improving accessibility is a key objective of the scheme.

The new crossings, upgraded walking routes and replacement of subways with surface-level crossings will help create a corridor that is easier and safer to use for everyone, including disabled people, older people and families travelling with children.

Tree surveys have informed the design process and changes have been made to reduce impacts on mature trees wherever possible.

While the scheme will require the removal of three trees, efforts have been made throughout the design process to minimise tree loss and other impacts on existing landscaping.

The proposals also include the planting of 32 additional trees, alongside wider landscaping and public realm improvements, helping to create a greener and more attractive corridor. Overall, the scheme will deliver a significant net increase in tree planting and contribute to wider biodiversity and environmental enhancement objectives.

Traffic modelling has been carried out throughout development of the scheme. While some journeys may change along parts of the corridor, the scheme is designed to improve bus reliability, provide safer travel choices and support more efficient use of available road space.

The proposals have also been refined where modelling identified unacceptable impacts, including the decision not to signalise Bowling Back Lane Roundabout.

Subject to FBC approval and funding arrangements, construction is currently anticipated to begin in early 2027 and complete in early 2028.

If approved, a detailed construction programme will be developed. Measures will be put in place to maintain access for residents, businesses and public transport wherever possible.

Further information will be shared before construction begins.