West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is to host a 'Meet the Buyer' event for businesses to become suppliers on a £1 billion transport investment programme.

The exhibition will take place at Unity Hall in Wakefield on Friday, 04 December.

Around 200 businesses attending the event will be able to find out more information about the £1bn Growth Deal Transport Fund.

It is understood there will be opportunities to discuss the procurement process and potential schemes, along with gathering feedback and how they can register as a potential supplier.

The ten-year programme is being funded through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Growth Deal, a £1bn package of government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

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As part of the deal, the Government confirmed £180 million over six years to support the West Yorkshire Transport Fund.

A total of 26 projects will reduce congestion, improve the flow of freight and making it easier for people to commute to and from expected major growth areas and open up land for housing development. 

WYCA Transport Committee Chair, Cllr Keith Wakefield said: "Our Growth Deal Transport Programme includes 26 individual schemes that will generate £2.4bn GVA per annum in the local economy and 20,000 permanent new jobs by the mid-2030s. It will also create thousands of temporary positions during the development and construction phases. 

"The Programme got underway with the start of work on the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road in July and a range of schemes are scheduled to start in the next couple of years  

"Over the Programme's 10 years, we will be commissioning over £1bn of work so this represents a huge opportunity for local companies.  

"We want organisations representing every stage of the supply chain, from legal firms to construction contractors to come to this event. They will be able to find out what we and our partners in the districts have planned and next steps in the procurement procedure."

For more information, visit here.

(LM/CD)