Bid to ease traffic congestion near plant

Senior councillors at Wakefield will receive a report at their cabinet meeting on July 3 on proposals to secure £1.34m from the Regional Growth Fund for a new roundabout at Dish Hill and related works in Ferrybridge.

The cash for the roundabout and a new road structure will support the building of a multifuel generating plant at Ferrybridge, creating 98 new jobs and safeguarding jobs at the existing coal power station and plasterboard plant.

Once cabinet members have formally accepted the funding offer, North Yorkshire will start doing the detailed design, with a local consultation over the summer.

Preparatory work is already under way on the Ferrybridge site, a joint project between companies SSE and Wheelabrator Technologies.

The site will be powered by multifuel – which is made from non-recyclable household waste. Once moisture has been removed it is then processed into pellets which is burned to produce power. The owners have said the generator is not a waste incinerator but uses fuel already made from waste. A start on site is scheduled for next spring and it is due to be completed before the end of 2013.

“This money is important for local jobs and economic growth,” said Coun Graham Stokes, a cabinet member and local councillor for Knottingley.

“Accepting this funding and working with North Yorkshire County Council to put the processes in place to ensure its financial management means we can draw in £250,000 from the private sector, create and secure jobs and reduce disturbance to local residents from heavy goods vehicles.

“This new road scheme will bring great benefits to the community and to the wider district and I look forward to its completion.”