West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county located in the Yorkshire and Humber region of England. With an estimated population of 2,726,622 inhabitants and covering an area of approximately 1,762 square kilometres, West Yorkshire is one of the largest counties by population in the UK.
Location
The majority of West Yorkshire lies within the historic boundaries of three ancient ridings: The West Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding and North Riding. The eastern boundary follows the River Ouse before crossing over into North Yorkshire at Cawood. Other major rivers include the Aire that runs through Leeds and Wakefield; The Calder which flows east to west across South Bradford; and the Don which is the boundary between West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. Major cities located in West Yorkshire include Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Harrogate, Huddersfield and Halifax.
Motorway Access
West Yorkshire is well connected to other parts of England through a network of motorways. The M62 runs east-west across the county connecting Manchester and Hull while the M1 gives access from London. The M606 links Bradford with Brighouse while there are also connections to York via the A64/M62.
Logistics
West Yorkshire benefits from excellent transport links when it comes to delivering goods. The county is served by several airports, the Leeds Bradford International Airport and Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport being the most popular. It also has a number of major rail stations such as Leeds, Wakefield Westgate and York station. In addition, there are extensive road links via motorways and A roads.
Industry
West Yorkshire's economy is diverse and includes sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, technology, tourism and financial services. Key industrial areas in West Yorkshire include Huddersfield (textiles), Bradford (engineering) and Halifax (printing). There are also many SMEs located throughout the county.
Population Number
West Yorkshire's population has grown steadily since the 1950s and is now estimated at 2.7 million people. The most populous areas are Leeds (752,490), Bradford (518,170) and Wakefield (347,873). Other major cities in West Yorkshire include Huddersfield, Halifax, Harrogate and Keighley.
Investment In The Area
West Yorkshire has significant investment potential with a strong economy, excellent transport links and access to major markets. In recent years there have been several government initiatives aimed at regenerating the region including the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund which was set up to support businesses in the North of England. In addition, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has received over £1 billion in funding from central government.
