News

Tackling congestion on the A629

Calderdale Council

Work to widen the A629 at Salterhebble starts on site from Monday 21 August, as part of a series of works to reduce travel times on the route between Halifax and Huddersfield. 

Funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority’sWest Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund programme, this major projectwill reduce travel times, especially in the southbound direction during this initial phase. The scheme includes widening Salterhebble Hill to four lanes; remodelling the junctions at Dudwell Lane and Dryclough Lane; upgrading each Pelican crossing; installing new traffic light technology and improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.  

To minimise disruption during the works, a detailed Traffic Management strategy is in place, with multiple individual lengths of highways being worked upon in turn. This means that at any one time only a limited section of the road will be subject to road works minimising the potential congestion and disruption while the works take place.

Although lane closures will be essential as part of the works to ensure the safety of workers, there will be at least one free flowing lane in each direction throughout the majority of the works. The sensitive areas will be worked upon during evenings and weekends to limit peak time delays.

Temporary right turning bans will also be in place at certain junctions to keep the main road flowing and avoid queues while vehicles are waiting to turn right. Diversions for these routes will be well signed and the bans will only be in place when the work reaches these junction points.

Emergency service vehicles will have access throughout the works. Contractors on-site are aware of the likelihood of ambulance vehicles serving the hospital and will temporarily adjust any traffic management to allow emergency vehicles access as necessary.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Cllr Barry Collins, said:

“Work starting on site is a real milestone in the next phase of this important project.

“Once complete, the A629 programme will improve traffic flow on the route between Halifax and Huddersfield and cut down journey times.

“Because this route is so busy, we know that while the works are taking place there will unfortunately be some level of disruption, but we’re doing all we can to minimise problems, including working on the most sensitive areas outside of peak times.”

After schemes including the A629 Halifax to Huddersfield Corridor Improvement scheme were supported at the recent Investment Committee meeting, its chair Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said:  

“The transport schemes which the Investment Committee has supported have been designed to achieve the Combined Authority and its partners’ aims of encouraging sustainable economic growth that sees more local people in high quality jobs that they can access easily.”

The A629 project is the largest individual scheme in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’sWest Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund programme, which is investing £1 billion over 10 years in more than 30 transport infrastructure schemes across West Yorkshire and York. 

The unprecedented investment in transport is just one part of the ‘next chapter’ for Calderdale, which will also see major transformations to public spaces and business premises over the next few years. These exciting projects will build on the borough’s unique heritage, fine architecture, vibrant business sector and strong communities.  

Visit www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk(external link) for more information and to sign up for updates.

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