Congestion at the Calder and Hebble junction on the A629 will be eased if plans are given the go ahead by Calderdale Council’s Cabinet at their next meeting on Monday 4 July 2016.
The Cabinet will discuss the scheme, which is part of the Leeds City Region’s West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund programme to improve the A629 between Huddersfield and Halifax town centre.
The £1 billion West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund is being invested over 10 years in over 30 transport infrastructure schemes across West Yorkshire and York, designed to create around 20,000 new jobs and add £2.4bn a year added to the economy (by the mid-2030s).
The A629 is the largest individual scheme within the programme and will be delivered through different phases. Phase 1b will include a new link road between the A629 and Stainland Road, with a new bridge spanning the Calder and Hebble Navigation, plus a new roundabout on Stainland Road.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Cllr Barry Collins said:
“The A629 provides an essential link between Halifax and the M62 motorway and we know it is used by over 40,000 vehicles daily.
“As anyone who regularly travels along the route will be aware, this is already a busy, and frequently congested, part of the network. Without improvements this will only well get worse, as research has shown that the existing capacity will not keep pace with the predicted population and economic growth.
“The planned improvements will tackle congestion, reduce journey times and improve traffic-related pollution, benefitting local residents, visitors and businesses and driving economic prosperity in our towns.”
The scheme will improve access to Copley, Sowerby Bridge and Halifax, making sites on the route more attractive for potential investment by businesses and boosting local employment opportunities.
It may also lead to additional express bus services linking Halifax and Huddersfield as reduced journey times will make this more viable. Improved cycle and pedestrian facilities along the A629 will be designed to encourage people to consider cheaper, more environmentally friendly options for commuting, or to simply enjoy exercising during their leisure time.
To alter the layout of the Calder and Hebble junction, the Council will need to purchase land at four sites, which are currently owned by Yorkshire Electricity, the Canal & Rivers Trust, Elland Hall Farm and New Bank Garden Centre. Negotiations are underway with the landowners to purchase the plots required to deliver the scheme.
The Cabinet will be asked to enter into a funding agreement to accept West Yorkshire Transport funding for the scheme and to begin the process of acquiring the land at the next meeting, which will be held at 6pm on Monday 4 July 2016 at Halifax Town Hall. If agreed, and subject to further funding and statutory approvals, the scheme is currently expected to be complete by 2019.
Further information on the West Yorkshire Transport Fund programme in Calderdale can be found at http://www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk/(external link)
More information about West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Fund schemes can be found at http://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/wytf/(external link)