THE COST of building a new bus station in the Spen Valley has risen by £1.8 million, it has been revealed.

There will also be a six-month delay to the ongoing scheme in Heckmondwike, which will see the existing traffic island replaced with a new bus station building, creating more bus stands and improved facilities.

In December 2023, West Yorkshire Combined Authority issued a press release stating that plans to build a new bus station in Heckmondwike had been given the green light.

At that point, the Combined Authority described it as an £8.66 million project that would see the existing “bus hub” in the town centre given a major upgrade.

However, a new report to go before the Combined Authority on July 25 shines a light on the escalating cost of the scheme.

The report states: "The total scheme costs are £10,466,152, which are to be fully funded by the Combined Authority’ from the Transforming Cities Fund."

The report recommends that: "The Combined Authority approves, subject to conditions set, that: (i) The change request to increase the costs of the scheme by £1,800,000, from £8,666,152 to £10,466,152 and that the completion date for the project is extended from 20 December 2024 to the 30 June 2025 is fully approved."