Improvements are planned to make it safer to get around Huddersfield town centre for pedestrians and cyclists.
Kirklees Council is about to start work on the next stage of its ‘Better Connected Stations’ scheme which will improve links between Huddersfield’s train and bus stations.
Work starts next week on a project which will see pavements widened, new cycle paths built, better street lighting installed, roads resurfaced and improved crossing facilities introduced.
The investment is funded through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s bid for the Government’s Transforming Cities. It is aimed at making the town centre more bike-friendly and also safer for people on foot.
Residents can find out more about the scheme at: https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/bcshuddersfield.
There will be some disruption as work takes place from February 21 to May 18. Temporary changes will be made to traffic flows around Westgate.
As works take place on Westgate, traffic travelling towards the town centre will be diverted via Upperhead Row, George Street, Sergeantson Street, Fox Street, Market Street and back onto Westgate. This will provide extra road capacity and reduce the risk of traffic congestion on the Ring Road.
The bus gate cameras on Market Street will be temporarily suspended for the duration of the works. Once the works are completed and the usual movement of traffic reinstated the cameras will be switched back on.
Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “I’m pleased that we are making progress on these important improvements to Huddersfield town centre
“ Once complete, the connection between the railway station and bus station will be hugely improved and will be safer and more pleasant for everyone, including cyclists and pedestrians.
“A modern town centre needs high quality connections between all forms public transport. It also needs to look after the interests of people who are travelling on foot or by bicycle. That’s exactly what this scheme will give residents, business and visitors.
“I would like to thank local businesses and residents for their patience during the upcoming period of unavoidable disruption whilst we make these important improvements.”
Clr Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “As we respond the climate emergency, we need to make it easier for people to use greener ways of travelling around our towns.
“These improvements will make cycling and walking a much more positive option in Huddersfield while managing road traffic effectively at the same time.”
