Kirklees Council has been awarded over £8 million to make highways improvements in key locations.

The funding has been agreed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to cut congestion, promote a cleaner environment and support economic growth.

It will be used for highways development works around Lockwood and Longroyd Bridge, which are both busy areas for traffic, and also to improve the Queensgate section of Huddersfield ring road to make it more attractive for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

The total funding from the Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund is £8.19million and detailed plans for each individual scheme will now be developed.

Councillor Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Economy, said: “This is great news for Kirklees. We are delighted to have secured this money for further investment in important routes.

“The changes we make will reduce the delays faced by people driving in and out of Huddersfield and will bring health benefits thanks to improved air quality and better walking and cycling facilities.

“They will boost economic growth by supporting communities and businesses, encouraging more investment in the local area.

This scheme of works will provide the critical infrastructure to service key sites in the Local Plan, which is coming for council approval on February 27th. It is yet another example of the council taking the lead in achieving a strong and productive economy which brings regeneration to the district.”

In total, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has just approved new schemes worth over £70 million across the region.

Cllr Peter Box, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee, which approved the funding, said: “Last year West Yorkshire Combined Authority invested over £150m in supporting businesses, improving transport, investing in skills and attracting jobs.

“All of them are designed to underpin our aims of generating economic growth across West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region that will benefit all of our communities.”

Working closely with the Combined Authority, the council is already developing a large programme of road improvement works across Kirklees.

Local people were recently asked for their views on easing congestion around Cooper Bridge (A62/A644), Leeds Road (A62) and Halifax Road (A629).

The West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund is supported through the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of government investment delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.