Local people are being asked to share further feedback on proposals to make moving around the Skircoat area of Calderdale, more pleasant, safe and convenient for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
Skircoat is a residential area to the south of Halifax that includes large parks, local retail centres and the Calderdale Royal Hospital.
Calderdale Council has been awarded £2.4m of funding from Active Travel England and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to develop proposals for positive changes and to help create streets that work for everyone.
Using feedback from a survey conducted in 2022, the Council has now developed proposals for improvements at locations across the ward. People are now being asked to share their thoughts on the proposals to help shape their further development.
The proposals are available online at https://calderdalenextchapter.co.uk/projects/skircoat-your-street-matters(external link), until Friday 15 November 2024.
The areas where improvements are proposed are spread across the ward, including streets around Copley Primary School, where feedback highlighted safety concerns for children walking to school.
Proposals around the Birdcage Lane, New Lane and Albert Promenade area are aimed at making it more enjoyable for people walking and cycling with improved connections to places like Savile Park. Paths in the park would also be widened to improve accessibility.
People are also being asked to highlight their preference for options aimed at reducing the amount of through traffic using Haugh Shaw Road and Swires Road.
Other proposals include the introduction of new pedestrian and cycle crossings on Skircoat Green Road, Skircoat Moor Road, Free School Lane and Savile Park Road. The temporary point closure restricting traffic between Stafford Road and Huddersfield Road would also be made permanent.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“We want to make it easier for people to choose active ways to travel and spend their time. Not only is this great for people’s health and wellbeing, it also benefits our environment by reducing traffic and emissions – supporting our net zero ambitions.
“We’re really grateful to everyone who took the time to share feedback and suggest improvements to streets in the Skircoat area. This important local knowledge has been used to develop proposals aimed at making it easier for people to choose to travel in active ways, and to make local streets more pleasant places to spend time.
“We’d now like to hear people’s thoughts on the latest plans, to help us shape and refine the proposals.”
Cllr Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said:
“It’s great to see plans moving forward to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle in this area of Halifax.
“I’d encourage the public to contribute to these proposals as we build a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire.”
The project is part of the Next Chapter work to enable economic growth, reduce inequalities and build a sustainable future. For more information about this and other exciting developments in Calderdale, visit calderdalenextchapter.co.uk(external link)