Demolition work will start next week on Huddersfield’s Market Hall car park, one of the town’s Blueprint projects.

The multi-storey in Alfred Street will be taken down and the site used as a temporary car park.

The demolition process will be carried out very carefully – from the top down, says Kirklees Council.

In order to carry out the works one lane of the Ring Road carriageway will be closed for the duration of the works which are expected to last around six months.

The lane closure will affect the carriageway from Alfred Street/Queensgate Junction to the bus stop at Queensgate Market, it will also affect the footpath off Alfred Street.

The thoroughfare between Alfred Street and Queensgate will also need to be closed for the duration of the works.

The closure will allow demolition contractor, Total Reclaims Demolition, to create a haul road from the Ring Road into the site, that will allow debris to be removed a part of the demolition works.

Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “As we look forward to the easing of restrictions following the pandemic and a brighter future for our town centres, it is great news that this project is able to get underway.

“It is unfortunate that we need to close a lane of the Ring Road, however, I am confident that the outcome of this work will benefit town centre users in the longer term.

“Car parking is one of many factors that impact on a town’s footfall, as such, it is right that, following the demolition, we put in place a temporary car park until we are ready to progress with the new multi-storey.

“This along with the commuter car park at Old Leeds Road will provide 345 car parking spaces for people visiting Huddersfield in the near future.

“I am sure that any measures to minimise disruption during the build will be welcomed by local businesses and visitors.”

Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for Corporate, said: “The new market hall car park will be an important asset to our town, and essential to the Huddersfield Blueprint.

“This is a very constrained site and the demolition will be very difficult and challenging but it is essential that we keep traffic flowing safely whilst works take place.

“Following the demolition, a new surface car park will be constructed to make use of the existing ground and lower ground floor levels and provide approximately 115 much needed parking spaces in the centre of town.

“Six spaces will be allocated to blue badge holders and all access will be via the subway from the Ring Road. The 115 spaces being proposed would help support the adjacent Queensgate Market and the wider town.”