Road shut by landslip 18 months ago could soon be re-opened

WORKS TO repair damage to Park Road in Elland are now underway and are expected to be complete early in the new year, and hopefully sooner.

Major repairs to this key route between Halifax, Elland and Brighouse are needed due to a landslip caused by flooding in February 2020. Vertical movement of 300mm caused cracking over a 60-metre length of the road, as well as some smaller tension cracks, which meant that it had to be fully closed to all traffic for safety reasons.

The current work on site includes installing 157 deep bored piles and ground anchors, tied together with an in-situ concrete capping beam. The final stages will involve improving drainage to help deal with future heavy rain and the resurfacing of sections of the highway.

Esh Construction, the contractor undertaking the repairs, has planned works within a tight corridor to allow a previously closed pedestrian route to be re-established whilst works are carried out.

Coun Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, said: “We know how difficult this long road closure is for local residents and commuters. This has been an incredibly large and challenging project and we are doing everything we can to reopen Park Road as soon as possible.

“Thanks to Transforming Cities funding, we will also be making improvements to the road by introducing new pedestrian and cycling facilities, which will make it easier for people to get to Elland town centre and the proposed new Elland Rail Station.

Picture: Andrew Heptinstall Photography