Work is due to begin on a new town square for Sowerby Bridge, providing a flexible and welcoming space, with improved facilities for pedestrians.
The new Sowerby Bridge Square will be built on the site of the old market building and will include landscaping, with tree planting and rain gardens. The area will be welcoming with seating and space for a variety of events.
Additional work in the area will also be taking place to improve footways, crossings and bus stop facilities along Wharf Street, adjacent to the new town square.
Construction work on the square will begin on Thursday 1 August and will last around six months. Whilst work is underway, the Tuel Lane car park will be closed, as it will be used by contractors carrying out the works. Once the new square is finished, the car park will be resurfaced and will include two electric vehicle charging points, additional motorcycle parking and new cycle stands.
Sowerby Bridge Square is part of the A58/A672 Corridor Improvement Programme (CIP), a programme of work which is worth over £5million and is being delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The CIP aims to address long-standing issues with congestion, especially at peak times and reduce delays for local bus services.
Along with this investment, Calderdale Council was able to attract a further £2million in funding for Sowerby Bridge from Historic England through the Government’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) programme. This is being used to enhance and preserve heritage features of Sowerby Bridge, revitalise the high street and encourage cycling and walking in and around the town.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:
“It’s wonderful to see so much positive work taking place in Sowerby Bridge. We want to celebrate and highlight the many distinctive qualities which make the town so special, from its many heritage buildings and canals and waterways to its vibrant and thriving businesses and communities.
“Our work at Sowerby Bridge Square will create a welcoming space, which will complement many other improvements around the town, developing a destination where businesses can flourish and people spend more time; shopping, working, meeting others and living healthier, more active lives.”
Further information on using more sustainable modes of transport including bus travel, walking and cycling, is available at Walk it. Ride it. – West Yorkshire Combined Authority (westyorks-ca.gov.uk)(external link).
For more information about the work in and around the new Sowerby Bridge Square, including the plans for the Corridor Improvement Programme, visit https://calderdalenextchapter.co.uk/index.php/projects/a58a672-and-a646a6033-improvements(external link)
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