New-look Cooper Bridge roundabout revealed by Kirklees Council

Kirklees Council has unveiled plans for a new-look Cooper Bridge roundabout on the edge of Huddersfield.

The council has been looking to make improvements at the busy junction of the A62 Leeds Road and the A644 Huddersfield Road, one of the main gateways into Kirklees. It is also a main access route to junction 25 of the M62.

Two years ago the council consulted the public over plans for a new link road but that has been dropped and new plans have been revealed.

None of the new options include a link road, instead they aim to enhance the existing network by improving Cooper Bridge and Bradley junctions.

The council is now sharing details of its preferred option with the public and asking for their views. The consultation period will run from June 7 to July 18. The plans are now available for review and comment at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/cooperbridge.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the council are unable to host drop-in events, however anyone that would like to hear more about the scheme can join a live webinar on the Kirklees Council YouTube channel, June 23 at 5.30pm. The event will be recorded and be available to watch at a later date.

The scheme is part of a much bigger programme of road improvements across Kirklees and is funded through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund.

Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Whilst there was support for the link road options during our public engagement in late 2018/early 2019, there was were also some concerns raised about the environmental impacts of the options, particularly on the ancient woodland and tree loss in general.”

“We believe that our new proposal will reduce congestion and improve air quality now and will ensure that this area is able to cope with natural growth and development needs in the future.

“Over the next few years, we will see a significant investment in some of the busiest roads in Kirklees. Together these schemes can make the changes that people have been asking for, for a long time.”

Clr Denise Jeffery, chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee, said: “The latest consultation is an opportunity for people to offer views on the proposals which have been developed and updated since the last public engagement, with a view to reducing the scheme’s carbon footprint.

“The Cooper Bridge junction is one of the most important gateways into Kirklees and this scheme will better connect local residents to employment and leisure opportunities across West Yorkshire and beyond, boosting the local economy.

“The proposed road developments will also see congestion eased and local air quality significantly improved.

“I would encourage as many local people as possible to get involved in the latest public consultation as it is vitally important that we get the views from those that the scheme is going to affect the most.”

The West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund has been part-funded through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government funding to drive growth and job creation across the Leeds City Region.

The aim is to create around 20,000 new jobs and add £2.4 billion a year to the economy by the mid-2030s.