Calderdale Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is asking for feedback on plans to improve walking and cycling journeys in north and west Halifax.
Improvements to options for making trips on foot, bicycle, scooter or bus are planned for areas to the north and west of Halifax town centre. This includes the areas around Dean Clough, Lee Mount, Ovenden and Illingworth in north Halifax and on and around Gibbet Street, Queen’s Road, Hanson Lane, Parkinson Lane and the Beech Hill estate around west Halifax.
The proposals have been developed with the aim of creating safe, healthy and more inclusive places where people choose to walk, cycle and use public transport. The designs have been developed following a feedback exercise earlier this year, with several changes made to previous designs.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, Cllr Jane Scullion, said:
“Choosing to make trips on foot, by bicycle or public transport is not only beneficial for our health, but also is an important part of our work to tackle the climate emergency. We want to support people to choose these methods of travel and our plans for north and west Halifax look at ways in which we can make walking and cycling more appealing.
“The areas where improvements are proposed are relatively close to the town centre, but currently have few facilities for walking and/or cycling. We’ve developed the latest designs using feedback from local people who know these areas better than anyone and we’re asking people to have their say on these amended proposals.
“The feedback we receive as part of this consultation will be used as part of the development of final designs, to ensure the proposals meet the needs of local people.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“Making it easier to walk and cycle is a vital part of my commitment to ensuring our transport network works for people, as well as being at the heart of our plans to tackle the climate emergency, protect our environment, and become a net zero carbon economy by 2038.
“We are pleased to be working in partnership with Calderdale Council on these schemes, which will help us do that.
“It goes without saying that nobody is better placed than local people to help shape these plans and we would encourage everyone to make the most of this opportunity to have their say.”
Cllr Manisha Kaushik, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee Lead Member for Active Travel, said:
“From connecting us with the places we need to go, to tackling congestion, improving air quality and boosting our physical and mental health, we know getting more people walking and cycling will help make our region an even better place to live, work and play.”
Proposals for north Halifax include:
- A new segregated cycleway from North Halifax to Halifax town centre
- Improved pavements and crossing points for walking and cycling
- Wider pavements and speed restrictions to better support walking and cycling
- Improved green spaces
- Improved lighting and planting in some snickets and under bridges
These proposals take into account feedback from previous consultations which showed strong support for a cycling route between Halifax town centre and Keighley Road and for wider pavements.
Proposals for west Halifax include:
- Improved walking routes between Halifax town centre and Gibbet Street
- Additional parking bays to address issues with pavement parking
- One-way systems to reduce conflict on narrow streets and improve bus reliability
- Turning restrictions for some vehicles on Queen’s Road to improve safety and access to local shops
- Improvements to planting, seating areas and access to bus stops, as well as new crossing points
These revised proposals consider local feedback about safety issues and problems with parking and the movement of traffic.
Detailed plans which are split into different sections on a clearly presented map, are available to view at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/north-halifax-2(external link) and www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/west-halifax-2(external link). These links also include additional information for each area including plans and pictures to help people understand the proposals, as well as key changes since March 2021 and answers to some frequently asked questions.
Local people are being asked to look at the revised plans and share their feedback. Comments submitted will then be collated, analysed and considered in the development of final designs for the projects.
The proposals are being delivered in partnership with funding from two of the Combined Authority’s programmes, the Transforming Cities Fund and Streets for People, both of which are aimed at making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
Feedback on proposals can be submitted until Sunday 19 December 2021. Those who do not have access to the website can contact West Yorkshire Combined Authority via Metroline on 0113 245 7676 for a printed copy of the designs and survey along with a freepost envelope.
ENDS