00:03Regional leaders in West Yorkshire have approved a new package of investment worth £230 million
00:09aimed at supporting transport, housing and economic development across the region.
00:15The decision was agreed at a meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority chaired by the Mayor,
00:20Tracey Braben, and attended by leaders from Bradford, Collardale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
00:27Supporters say the funding will help deliver projects designed to strengthen connections between towns and cities,
00:33encourage business growth and create new homes.
00:36Among the plans are improvements to bus routes, walking and cycling links
00:40and work intended to unlock regeneration sites for housing and commercial development.
00:46Some projects focus on transport, including road upgrades and preparation for future mass transit systems,
00:53while others centre on new business districts and research facilities.
00:57Local leaders say the programme builds on investment already secured since regional devolution
01:03and is intended to give councils greater influence over how money is spent locally.
01:08The funding package also sits alongside a wider settlement from national government worth around £2 billion,
01:15which is expected to give the Mayor and the Combined Authority more flexibility
01:18to decide how funding is allocated across West Yorkshire in future regional investment decisions moving forward.
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