End in sight for closure of busy link road

COMMUTERS FRUSTRATED by weekday closures of a busy route linking two towns in Calderdale and Bradford have been told an end to their misery is in sight.

In the spring, Calderdale Council announced the A6033 road, connecting Hebden Bridge to Keighley via Oxenhope, would be closed for 20 weeks to allow highway safety work to be carried out. It left commuters facing a 20mile detour via Halifax.

Residents on the Bradford side have challenged both Calderdale and Bradford councils about the issue recently, and enlisted Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker.

Bradford Worth Valley councillor Rebecca Poulson ( Con) had also accused Calderdale of backtracking on a promise to reopen the road after an agreed six- week closure period ended in early September. But, weather permitting, Calderdale says it now hopes work will be completed by the end of this month – a date that it describes as ahead of schedule.

Work has involved the widening of bends, the replacement of around 3,000 metres of kerb and the resurfacing of the carriageway from Bedlam Bends over the Calderdale boundary into the Bradford district.

Calderdale’s cabinet member for regeneration and strategy, Coun Jane Scullion, said it was hoped initially that traffic signals could be introduced to manage traffic after the first phase of works. However, after a review of the site, it was considered necessary for full weekday closures to continue to maintain the safety of the workforce.

“We are aware of people’s concerns about the improvement works on the A6033, and we really sorry for any inconvenience they are causing,” she said.“However, the works are vital as this road is rated as one of the most dangerous in the UK, so we need to install important safety measures to reduce the risk of accidents.”

She said the council had done everything possible to minimise disruption during the scheme.