An ‘active travel corridor’ is to be created in a Huddersfield town centre street to encourage cyclists and make it safer for people on foot.

Dundas Street will be closed from Monday February 7 for about four months while works take place.

Footpaths will be widened and a cycle lane will be created. There will be new street furniture, better lighting and trees planted.

The works, which follow recent improvements in Upperhead Row, will improve access from the bus station to Market Street. Kirklees Council says it will help cyclists who want to continue their journey by train.

Materials such as natural stone and granite – commonly seen on streets with historical significance or listed buildings – will be used. 

To accommodate the cycle lane, parking facilities on Dundas Street will be reduced to five spaces. Alternate parking is available at the bus station or surrounding streets including George Street, Sergeantson Street and Fox Street.

Pay and display parking will be temporarily removed on Half Moon Street to accommodate taxi ranks which will be closed on Dundas Street during the works.

Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We are undertaking works to create an active travel corridor on Dundas Street. The improvements include a new cycle lane and a better footway with the aim of providing more space and a safer route for walkers and cyclists.

“We hope that these changes will encourage cyclists to get around the town centre more on their bikes and generally encourage people to use more active ways to travel.”

The works that took place in Upperhead Row near Huddersfield Bus Station car park last year

Works are programmed under a full road closure from February 7 for approximately four months. To reduce disruption, the majority of work will take place between the hours of 7.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and 7.30am-3pm on Fridays.

The road closure will be in place 24/7, however all shops and businesses on Dundas Street will remain open and be accessible by foot. Businesses on Dundas Street will remain open as usual, but some work may need completing in front of their premises at the weekend.

Alternative routes for vehicles affected by the closure will be available via the following routes. The one-way section of Upperhead Row between George Street and Dundas Street will temporarily become two-way to allow traffic exiting the bus station car park and Sainsbury’s car park to exit down George Street.

Any general traffic wanting to access Market Street/Westgate will have to divert down George Street, Sergeantson Street and then Fox Street or Half Moon Street.