Following feedback from a recent consultation exercise, a number of changes have been introduced to proposed road improvement schemes in Calderdale.
Calderdale Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are developing a series of improvements to the road network along the A58 / A672 from Junction 22 of the M62 to King Cross in Halifax and the A646 / A6033 from Todmorden to Skircoat Moor. They cover well-used routes through Calderdale, which can be congested and suffer from air quality issues, particularly during peak times.
Earlier this year, the plans were the subject of a public engagement. Feedback from this exercise has been used to further develop the proposals, with some significant changes introduced as a result. These include:
- The proposed one-way system around Hebden Bridge has now been removed from plans
- Following concerns about the loss of parking on Burnley Road in Hebden Bridge, there are plans to provide a new car park at Stubbing Holme and Network Rail has plans for approximately 44 additional spaces at the rail station car park. There are also plans in place to provide approximately 200 additional parking spaces at Mytholmroyd railway station
- The proposed one-way system on Blackwall Lane and Water Hill Lane in Sowerby Bridge has been removed from plans
- The proposed relocation of a bus stop on Halifax Road in Todmorden has been moved to by School Lane car park.
A number of further changes have also been introduced and the full evaluation of feedback is available at http://calderdalenextchapter.co.uk/projects(external link)
The consultation also raised concerns about general disruption from the roadworks, particularly in those areas currently being affected by the Environment Agency’s flood defence scheme work. To minimise disruption, the road improvement work will be carefully planned in coordination with all partners, including the Environment Agency, to ensure that any scheduled work does not overlap with this scheme.
The improvement proposals look to address other concerns raised in the consultation, such as the lack of accessible safe facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and congestion issues causing poor air quality.
Pending scheme approval, the programme of work is currently being further developed with a look to work starting in early 2021.
The Leader of Calderdale Council, Cllr Tim Swift, said:
“With funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, we have an opportunity to make significant improvements to key routes through Calderdale. The proposals look to address long-standing issues on some of the borough’s busiest roads and improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
“We’ve taken on board the really useful feedback from residents and businesses received as part of the consultation earlier this year. As a result, we’ve made some significant changes to our proposals, including removing unpopular elements and amending plans where issues were highlighted.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond and reassure them that we’ll continue to develop proposals to ensure they meet the objectives and do all we can to minimise any disruption.”
Known as the Corridor Improvement Programme, the project has received funding through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
For more information about the scheme and other exciting developments in Calderdale, visit www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk(external link)
The Next Chapter helps to form the Vision2024 for Calderdale. In the year 2024, Calderdale will celebrate its 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? What’s our ambition and what will be different? Get involved in the conversation using #VisionCdale2024 on Twitter, by following Calderdale Council on Facebook and by visiting www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision