A650 Road Route and Infrastructure Overview
The A650 is a significant transport artery in West Yorkshire, connecting the towns of Keighley and Wakefield. Traversing through the Aire Valley, the road serves as a vital link for commuters and commercial transport, transitioning between various road classifications and urban environments.
Key Facts
- Start and End Points: Begins at a roundabout in Keighley and terminates in Wakefield City Centre.
- Key Localities: Passes through Bingley, Saltaire, Shipley, and Bradford.
- Major Intersections: Connects with the M62, M621, and M1 motorways.
- Special Features: Includes measured mile signs in the Aire Valley for vehicle odometer testing.
- Infrastructure: Alternates between single and dual carriageway sections.
Route from Keighley to Bingley
The journey begins at a roundabout in Keighley, where the A650 meets the A629 (Skipton to Rotherham road) and the B6265. Initially, the road is a single carriageway—a road with one lane of traffic in each direction—heading south along the edge of Keighley town centre. After intersecting with the A6035 spur road, it upgrades to a dual carriageway—a road with a dividing strip between traffic moving in opposite directions—before reaching the Aireworth suburb.
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As the route proceeds south-east through the Aire Valley toward Bingley, it features blue measured mile signs, allowing drivers to calibrate their vehicle odometers. The road passes through the Crossflatts roundabout and enters the heart of Bingley at the valley's lowest point, eventually meeting the old A650 route at the Bankfield roundabout in Cottingley.
Transit Through Saltaire, Shipley, and Bradford
Continuing through Nab Wood, the eastbound side of the road incorporates a dedicated bus lane. The route then reaches an improved roundabout at Saltaire, intersecting with the A657. As it moves south through Saltaire village and into Shipley, it encounters a junction known as "The Branch," where the A6038 departs at a 45° angle to the east. To facilitate a £42 million junction improvement scheme, Bradford Council purchased the adjacent pub, also named The Branch, in 2018 for demolition.
Upon entering Bradford, the road maintains a southbound bus lane. At the junction with the A6177 (the outer ring road), the A650 loses its Primary Route designation—a status given to roads that form the main network for long-distance travel. It navigates through the city, heading east at the A6181 and south to a sharp 90° junction with the A6037, where it functions as the inner ring road. After intersecting with the A658 and A647, it exits south-east with three lanes, regaining its Primary Route status after meeting the A6177 again, though it reverts to a single carriageway.
The Final Leg to Wakefield
Near Tong cemetery, the A651 diverges to the right. The A650 then heads east and south via the Drighlington bypass, intersecting with the A58. At the Gildersome roundabout, the road enters a multiplex junction—a point where multiple route numbers share the same physical stretch of road—with the M62, M621, and A62.
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After losing its Primary Route designation again, the road intersects with the A643 and A6029 before reaching the Tingley roundabout, another multiplex junction shared with the A653 and M62. The route continues east, passing the A654, until it reaches junction 41 of the M1. South of the M1, the road returns to dual carriageway status toward Wakefield. It eventually intersects with the A61, and the two roads run in tandem for 550 yards (500 m) before the A61 splits left. The A650 concludes in Wakefield City Centre, opposite the County Hall and adjacent to Wakefield College.
Route Summary Table
| Location/Point | Key Intersection/Feature | Road Type/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Keighley | A629 / B6265 | Single to Dual Carriageway |
| Aire Valley | Measured Mile Signs | Dual Carriageway |
| Saltaire/Shipley | A657 / "The Branch" (A6038) | Primary Route |
| Bradford | A6177 / A6037 / A658 / A647 | Inner Ring Road |
| Gildersome | M62 / M621 / A62 | Multiplex Junction |
| Tingley | M62 / A653 | Multiplex Junction |
| Wakefield | M1 (J41) / A61 | Terminates at County Hall |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the A650 begin and end?
The A650 begins at a roundabout with the A629 in Keighley and ends in Wakefield City Centre, opposite the County Hall and adjacent to Wakefield College.
What is "The Branch" in the context of the A650?
"The Branch" refers to the junction where the A6038 leaves the A650 at a 45° angle to the east. It was also the name of a pub purchased by Bradford Council in 2018 for demolition to support a £42 million junction improvement project.
Are there any specialized features for drivers on this route?
Yes, in the Aire Valley section between Keighley and Bingley, there are blue measured mile signs that drivers can use to test their vehicle odometers.
Which motorways does the A650 intersect?
The A650 has intersections and multiplex junctions with the M62, M621, and the M1 (at junction 41).
Does the A650 maintain a Primary Route designation throughout?
No, the road loses its Primary Route designation at the junction with the A6177 outer ring road in Bradford and again after the Gildersome roundabout, though it regains it briefly after meeting the A6177 again.