Latest news with #WYCA
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Six West Yorkshire school bus routes facing the axe
Plans to axe six school bus routes in West Yorkshire have been described as "simply not acceptable" by a councillor in Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is considering cutting three buses in Bradford, one in Calderdale and two in said the plan would help "create a more equitable service across West Yorkshire" saying there were walking and cycling routes available to pupils of some of the schools Green councillor Kevin Warnes, who represent Shipley on Bradford Council, said it was "critical" that bus travel networks were maintained and expanded. WYCA, which subsidises numerous routes, will decide whether to move ahead with the changes on 24 decision comes after more than 3,700 people took part in a consultation on the future of these subsidised services facing the axe include: B50 Eldwick to Beckfoot SchoolB99 Bradford city centre to Appleton AcademyS64 Baildon to Titus Salt School or S66 Baildon Primary to Titus Salt SchoolC6 Crossley Heath GrammarS62 Cockburn SchoolSM25 Ilkley to St Mary's Menston Referring to cuts to the Titus Salt School service, Warnes said: "Cuts are not an option."These transport links are essential to support local families and enable people to make sustainable travel choices."He said school buses were an important way of mitigating traffic congestion."The withdrawal of any of these services is simply not acceptable."Independent councillor for Bingley Marcus Deardon said he was worried the authority would cut other school bus services next year which had been passed to them by Bradford Council."These cuts will result in extra vehicles clogging up the highways and possibly making it impossible for some students to access these schools." 'Safe and secure' According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, WYCA said it would work with councils and schools to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities are provided with said it currently has arrangements in place for 328 buses carrying up to 20,000 pupils per day at a cost of £18.99m a year of which 45% as funded by the combined remaining costs are funded by income from fares, council's across West Yorkshire and said guidelines for value money criteria set a maximum subsidy of £2.35 per passenger trip from September 2025 and services that do not meet the criteria will be "considered for withdrawal".Chair of WYCA's transport committee and Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: "It is vital that we provide safe and secure routes for children to get to school, and we want to ensure the policy is equitably applied across West Yorkshire."We will continue to engage with stakeholders and the parents and carers of the small number of children affected to ensure that every child has a suitable option to get to school." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- BBC News
£50k funding offered to encourage West Yorkshire 'active travel'
Community organisations have been urged to apply for funding of up to £50,000 to become "active travel hubs" in a bid to get more people walking, wheeling and cash would be used to create one-stop shops for people to access everything they needed to get around under their own power, according to West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).That would include equipment, training and group activities, as well as advice and support on routes, a spokesperson Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "We are encouraging people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling as a way of getting around, leading to healthier and happier lifestyles." "This will help us achieve our net zero ambitions and create a cleaner, greener West Yorkshire," Ms Brabin explained."I'd encourage all community organisations eligible to apply for this funding to come forward and get involved." 'Fantastic initiative' A previous £50,000 grant from WYCA's active travel hubs programme helped the creation of the Shipley Active Travel Hub in funding meant a manager could be employed to run the hub, the workshop could be renovated, bikes for cycling lessons could be bought and equipment for bike maintenance classes could be hub now supports hundreds of people to get out and about in the local Aylmer, the hub's manager, said: "We had a vision for an active travel hub in Shipley to make it more accessible for people to get out and about by bike or on foot, and the funding we received helped bring that to life."It's a fantastic initiative that has helped us provide all sorts of walking and cycling activities, from adult cycling lessons, bike maintenance classes and group rides, to cultural initiatives – and the people in our community have really benefited." Since 2022, WYCA has funded 26 organisations across the region as part of the walking and cycling hubs initiative, investing more than £1m over the next round of funding was now open for social enterprises, registered charities, community interest companies, local authorities and private limited companies registered in the UK to bid for up to £50,000 and expand the existing network, a WYCA spokesperson qualify for the funding, an organisation must be able to show it was committed to developing walking, wheeling and cycling in the community, they deadline for grant applications is midnight on 29 June. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- BBC News
Weaver Network unveiled as 'new era' for West Yorkshire public transport
West Yorkshire transport bosses have unveiled new branding for the region's public transport network, pledging a "bold new area".The Weaver Network was launched by Mayor Tracy Brabin and West Yorkshire council leaders at Millennium Square in West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) said the single branding across the network would make it "easier and more accessible" for previous Metro logo - a large 'M' - has been in place since 1974. Ms Brabin said the region had suffered from a "disjointed, confusing and increasingly hard-to-navigate public transport system" for too new Weaver Network was "a fresh, modern identity", she name was inspired by the region's industrial past, WYCA said, and "visually reflects the cultural fabric of modern-day West Yorkshire".The rebrand follows "extensive work" to explore the area's cultural Laureate Simon Armitage, who helped devise the new brand, said: "I'm West Yorkshire born and bred, a public transport user, a geography graduate and a poet - in many ways it was the perfect invitation."To me, the Weaver Network name symbolises the threads connecting people with places, shuttling to and fro, built on heritage and creating new ties and links." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
EV charging points approved for 20 car parks
At least 20 car parks in the Kirklees district will be fitted with new electric vehicle charging points after plans were given the go-ahead by the council. The points would be located at council-run car parks, aimed at residents with no off-road parking, the authority said. The £2.5m project was being funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and was the first phase in improving infrastructure for electric vehicles across the region, a spokesperson said. Councillor Moses Crook, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for transport and highways, said: "These new chargers mean that if someone wants to make the switch to an electric vehicle, it will be a more practical option." Installation of the charging points was expected to begin later this year, the council said. Meanwhile further expansion into on-street locations was planned for later phases of the scheme. Kirklees Council said it hoped to begin the installation process this summer [Getty Images] Crook said the pilot scheme was "a critical step in making electric vehicles more accessible". "We know many households without off-street parking are currently limited if they have an electric vehicle," he added. The initiative was also part of the local authority's plan to become net zero and "climate ready" by 2038, a spokesperson said. Councillors had previously heard that chargers would need to be installed in three priority locations before the others could be put in. These were on Spring Wood Street in Huddersfield, New Street Car Park in Honley and Shaw Cross Community Centre in Dewsbury. EV points would then be installed in Batley, Birstall, Dewsbury, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Netherton, Denby Dale, Cowersley, Skelmanthorpe, Emley, Liversedge and Moldgreen. The council said although it did not intend to charge for the use of parking bays while charging, the authority or EV leaseholders may eventually decide to introduce a payment or require a permit for the bays in future. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More on this story Related internet links
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
EV charging points approved for 20 car parks in Kirklees
EV charging points approved for 20 car parks 18 minutes ago Share Save Hayley Coyle BBC News, Yorkshire Share Save Getty Images Kirklees Council said it would not initially charge for car parking while the EV points were being used At least 20 car parks in the Kirklees district will be fitted with new electric vehicle charging points after plans were given the go-ahead by the council. The points would be located at council-run car parks, aimed at residents with no off-road parking, the authority said. The £2.5m project was being funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and was the first phase in improving infrastructure for electric vehicles across the region, a spokesperson said. Councillor Moses Crook, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for transport and highways, said: "These new chargers mean that if someone wants to make the switch to an electric vehicle, it will be a more practical option." Installation of the charging points was expected to begin later this year, the council said. Meanwhile further expansion into on-street locations was planned for later phases of the scheme. Getty Images Kirklees Council said it hoped to begin the installation process this summer Crook said the pilot scheme was "a critical step in making electric vehicles more accessible". "We know many households without off-street parking are currently limited if they have an electric vehicle," he added. The initiative was also part of the local authority's plan to become net zero and "climate ready" by 2038, a spokesperson said. Councillors had previously heard that chargers would need to be installed in three priority locations before the others could be put in. These were on Spring Wood Street in Huddersfield, New Street Car Park in Honley and Shaw Cross Community Centre in Dewsbury. EV points would then be installed in Batley, Birstall, Dewsbury, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Netherton, Denby Dale, Cowersley, Skelmanthorpe, Emley, Liversedge and Moldgreen. The council said although it did not intend to charge for the use of parking bays while charging, the authority or EV leaseholders may eventually decide to introduce a payment or require a permit for the bays in future. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More on this story Cash boost to install electric car charging points
