Transport investment decisions in West Yorkshire are to be handled by a new Combined Authority which plans to spend up to £1.6Bn on new infrastructure over the next 15 years.

The new body brings together the districts of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield with the City of York. Resources devolved to the new West Yorkshire Combined Authority will include the Local Growth Fund, European Structural Investment Funds and Local Transport Plan investments.

“This is the most significant step forward for local government in West Yorkshire for many years,” said the Combined Authority’s chairman Councillor Peter Box. “It devolves powers from Whitehall, giving us the opportunity to work together to get the best for our communities, boosting jobs and growth.”

Councillor Box added that he wants to see West Yorkshire compete with Manchester and London for jobs and investment which, he added, can best be achieved by pooling resources and taking decisions together on issues such as transport.

Former local passenger transport executive Metro has been absorbed into the new authority and its red and white ‘M’ logo will remain as the symbol for transport in the region.

Major transport proposals to be worked up by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority include a Wakefield eastern relief road, East Leeds orbital road and improvements to Leeds, Halifax and Castleford railway stations.

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