Newton Bar Junction Improvement
The A650 at Newton Bar is a key junction linking routes to the centre of Wakefield, Leeds via the M1, and Pinderfields Hospital via Bar Lane. It serves the Snowhill retail and housing site, and other surrounding employment sites such as the Paragon and Wakefield Business Parks.
The junction is already congested at peak times and transport improvements are required to provide capacity to address the limitations of the existing network and facilitate future development and growth.
The scheme comprises a major junction improvement of the existing roundabout and approach roads around the A650/A61 at Newton Bar, Wakefield. It involves the construction of a new signalised ‘hamburger’ roundabout (enabling a one-way south bound link through the central island of the roundabout), upgrade of adjacent signal-controlled junction, additional traffic lanes, the provision of a shared cycle/pedestrian footway, signalised pedestrian/cycle crossings and the extension of the existing bus/cycle lane along the A61 Leeds Road corridor. There will be substantial tree planting and landscaping as part of the scheme, and a number of ecological enhancements, creating an enhanced gateway to Wakefield City centre.
It will deliver benefits for traffic and provide improvements for commuters, businesses, buses and all users of the transport network on the corridors. Additionally, it will cater for the needs of cyclists and pedestrians. Some of the benefits of the scheme include:
- Expected reduction in traffic congestion
- Improved pedestrian and cyclist safety with signalised crossings
- Environmental benefits such as improved air quality
- Enhanced connectivity across associated routes and transport modes
- Improved surface water drainage
Contact Us
Highways and Engineering PO Box 700 Wakefield One Burton Street Wakefield WF1 2EB