£40m plan to boost town in step forward

A £40M scheme for a ‘once-in-alifetime transformation’ of Halifax town centre is about to move a step forward.

Calderdale Council has prepared more detailed designs showing the proposed improvements across the town centre which will go before Cabinet on October 2.

The upgrade to the town centre is one part of the Council’s work to reduce congestion on the A629 route between Halifax and Huddersfield and to boost the local economy, under the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund programme.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, Coun Barry Collins, said: “Halifax is already seeing ground-breaking development, including the transformed Piece Hall and Square Chapel, the new Central Library and Archives and the upcoming university business centre.

“The further proposals are all about complementing these and making it easier to access them and the many other attractions and shops in the town centre.”

The proposals include better cycling facilities and footpaths; improvements to bus routes, easier ways to get into and around the town centre, a striking public space in between the Piece Hall and the train station, and better links to Dean Clough.

These will bring benefits including over 400 new jobs for local people, reduced congestion, a safer and more attractive environment, and health benefits through better air quality and more active ways of travelling. Some of the areas being targeted are Church Street, Bank Bottom, Charlestown Road, North Bridge, Broad Street, Market Street, Wards End and Bull Green.