£2.3m secured for crossroads

It has been awarded as part of the Local Pinch Point Fund with the Department for Transport giving the go-ahead to improve the A58 junction of Halifax Road, Denholegate Road, Leeds Road, Brighouse Road and Wakefield Road.

Further funding will be provided by the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan, from money set aside to support bids for strategic transport infrastructure.

The scheme will alter the junction to improve free flowing traffic in all directions. There will also be improvements to the pedestrian crossings to provide safer and easier access within the centre of Hipperholme.

Calderdale Council’s spokesman for economy and environment, Coun Barry Collins, said: “This scheme will have a major impact on commuters and pedestrians who regularly travel on this well used route. Journey times will be reduced and the reliability of public transport through the junction will significantly improve.”

Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker said: “We look forward to proposals which will redevelop the infrastructure of this junction to free up flows and make this key artery of the Calder Valley speedier for everyone who uses it.”

It is thought that businesses and residents will be consulted about the plans to improve the junction which is the 26th most congested junction. Work on the scheme will begin in spring 2014 and is expected to be completed in June 2015.