Work will soon complete on improvements around the top of Halifax, with new road layouts, routes and junctions as part of a wider project to make all types of travel easier and safer.
The Council is delivering the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre project, which is fully funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The project aims to improve journey times for everyone, make travel safer, improve public spaces and air quality, and boost economic growth.
The project is being delivered in phases to minimise disruption. The next phase will see construction work start on site at the bottom of Halifax town centre (the ‘eastern’ phase) during the week starting Monday 27 April 2026, when construction is complete at the top of town (the ‘western’ phase, which has included improvements at Bull Green, the junction of Cow Green and Pellon Lane, the junction of Commercial Street and Fountain Street, and surrounding areas).
Upgrades at the bottom of town will include a better connection between Halifax Rail Station and the town centre. This will allow people to cross from the train station towards the Central Library and the Piece Hall in one movement, making travel to and from the station safer and easier.
There will be a new road and new routes to improve traffic flow. This will also create an open and welcoming public space on the approach to the Piece Hall, as well as a new parking area on Alfred Street East.
New bus stops will help bus operators to provide easy links between the rail station, bus station and other parts of town.
Changes are also being made to the layout of Charlestown Road and New Bank, aiming to reduce congestion and queues at this busy junction.
During the construction works, temporary traffic lights and localised diversions will be in place to keep traffic moving around work areas. Traffic travelling from the south will be directed around the newly completed western side of the town to avoid congestion and possible queues at the bottom of town. There will be some unavoidable delays, so people are advised to plan ahead and allow more time for journeys around Halifax.
Access for walking and wheeling will be maintained. Pavements and crossings will be open during the work, although there will be times when they may need to close for safety reasons. When footpaths are closed, the Council will make sure there is still access to businesses and homes with signed diversions making it clear where to cross the road. Access to the town centre and attractions will be maintained throughout the works, however people choose to travel.
Once complete, the project will enable everyone to move more easily and safely around the town, with new junction layouts that are more efficient and upgraded signals that work together to keep traffic moving when it gets busy.
Calderdale Council’s Director for Regeneration and Strategy, Shelagh O’Neill, said:
“The improvement works in Halifax town centre aim to transform how everyone gets around the town, no matter how they travel, with improved routes and better junctions, and more pleasant areas for people to enjoy in the town.
“The construction work at the top of town, on the western phase, is due to complete very soon. This was the most complex section of the project, with so many work areas and different junctions to navigate.
“Straight after this, construction work will move to the bottom of Halifax, on the eastern side. This will change the road layout around the train station and Woolshops, with improved connections to the station and better links with bus travel.
“Diversion routes will be well signed, but it’s a good idea to plan ahead and leave extra time for your journey. There is lots of useful information on our Next Chapter website to familiarise yourself with the changes and plan your route before travelling.”
Visit the ‘Calderdale – The Next Chapter’ project website for plans and FAQs about the eastern phase of the project: https://calderdalenextchapter.co.uk/projects/a629-halifax-town-centre/getting-around-halifax(external link)