Plans to transform travel and public spaces in and around Halifax town centre are moving forward, with Calderdale Council appointing the construction contractor to carry out the works.
The A629 Phase 2 Halifax town centre scheme is an ambitious regeneration project which is fully funded through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund. It will transform public spaces in Halifax, by creating new welcoming spaces, improving accessibility and traffic circulation around the town, and enhancing public transport connectivity.
Following a tender process, the construction company Galliford Try has been appointed to carry out the works. The complex scheme will be split into three parts; western, eastern and central; with work on each section to run separately and consecutively to minimise disruption.
Work will include:
- The pedestrianisation of Market Street and a short length of Northgate
- The creation of a new public space outside Square Chapel and Halifax Central Library
- Additional and upgraded crossing facilities
- New cycle routes and facilities at major junctions and throughout the town
- New bus priority access and new bus stops at Southgate, Ward’s End, Union Street, Church Street, Alfred Street East and Horton Street
- The rerouting of traffic, realignment of junctions and changes to the road layout, including removing the Bull Green roundabout to create a more efficient layout
- The planting of trees and landscaping
Initial work will begin in late-February. A small number of trees and hedgerows near the roundabout and central reservation of the A629 at Cow Green/Bull Green will have to be removed to facilitate the works. The aim is to minimise the impact on existing trees, and over 100 more will be planted in various places across the town centre with further landscaping work taking place as the project progresses.
Work on the scheme will fully begin in spring 2024, with Galliford Try setting up a work compound from April in Union Street car park. This means the car park will be unavailable for public parking for the duration of the works.
Calderdale Council’s, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Active Travel and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said: “The work planned for Halifax will completely transform the town centre, with a focus upon environment, accessibility, transport choice and economic opportunity.
“The scheme will create welcoming gateways and enhance the look and feel of the centre, with better connections to facilities across the town and improved links with wider communities.
“The project will also bring climate benefits, supporting improved public transport connectivity and cycle infrastructure, as well as rerouting traffic to improve air quality within the town centre.
“This really is a milestone moment for Halifax and is a major part of the huge amount of investment which is transforming the town for future generations and supporting our council priority for thriving towns and places.”
Bill Hocking, Chief Executive of Galliford Try, said: “We are delighted to be working with Calderdale Council to deliver this much-needed scheme that will make such a difference to the local community.
“We have a growing expertise in creating greener transport infrastructure in city centre settings and look forward to working with all the stakeholders involved to create a lasting impact for the people of Halifax.”
