Calderdale Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are asking for people’s views on a series of planned improvements stretching from Halifax town centre to communities in the north of the town.
A public consultation has launched for people to have their say on the ‘A629 North’ project, which proposes changes along the route from Orange Street roundabout to Ogden in North Halifax, including Lee Mount, Ovenden and Illingworth.
The project, which is funded by the Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, aims to enable the road network in this area to operate more efficiently for all users by reducing congestion, improving journey times, providing infrastructure to improve safety and make it easier for road users in these areas to travel on foot or by bike and encourage the use of public transport.
Initial proposals include changes to road junction layouts, the creation of new improvements to cycle routes, new pedestrian crossings, signal changes to give more priority to buses along the route and upgrades to paths, signage, CCTV and lighting around the Orange Street roundabout.
Visit https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a629n(external link) to look at the plans and provide feedback. The consultation closes on Sunday 18 July 2021.
The ‘A629 North’ project is at an early stage and comments received as part of the consultation will be taken on board to help prepare more detailed plans.
The plans complement additional improvement work planned in the area as part of the North Halifax Improved Streets for People(external link) programme. Consultation work for this project took place earlier this year and the results are being reviewed to help inform the plans going forward.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, Cllr Jane Scullion, said:
“Residents living in and around the north of Halifax town centre have told us that they’d like to see more facilities to enable safer walking and cycling journeys into the town centre.
“The A629 North project looks to make active travel and public transport options more appealing, with a number of proposed improvements to better connect communities in the north of Halifax to the town centre.
“The project looks to complement other planned improvement work in these areas to make it easier for people to choose travel options that are not only healthier but also support our work to tackle the climate emergency and reduce our carbon emissions.
“We’d really like to hear people’s thoughts on the initial proposals to help shape the project and ensure that the improvement measures are introduced where they’re needed most.”
Councillor Kim Groves, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:
“Our vision for transport goes beyond getting people from A to B. It’s about getting all of us – our people, our communities, our businesses – to where we want to be as a region efficiently and safely. I am delighted that the public will have their say on how we improve the A629 North area.”
The A629 North 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 West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
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 www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk(external link)
The Next Chapter supports the Vision2024 for Calderdale. In the year 2024, Calderdale will celebrate its 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? Get involved by visiting www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision(external link)