The mentioned masterplan for Halifax is an exciting time for this town, and needs to get as many people involved as possible.

These ideas will Not come about or be transfered into action, without backing from the people of Halifax, and it's Politians.

For many of the discussions on the Halifax Courier "drive these ideas and inspirations down", and that can only make people with the power and the money not to invest in this area.

Things will NOT happen over night, though many other areas i.e. Castleford, Leeds, etc... are succeeding because of pressure from people and politicans alike, and we as a town must do the same.

So I therefore urge everyone, to stop moaning about the bad things of this and to put their "best foot forward", and do something about the area they live in, and let's make a change that we can ALL be proud off.

I think the Westgate Canopy is beautiful, elegant and has breathed new life into a formerly insignificant side-street. I have to admit, I had my doubts during its construction and I likened it to an inverted cruise ship. Happily, I was proved wrong. I only hope the owners keep up with the maintentence and not allow the white finish to be sullied by rust.

The facade of Somerset House has been restored beautifully. I toured the interior prior to restoration and I left unimpressed. I look forward to visiting again when the project is complete.

I'd like to see a proper bookstore (Borders or Waterstones), a high-quality and large art store (the Range is a craft store, and the other art shop in town is also all crafts). A cinema would also be a nice addition. I've not lived in this town (Halifax) for very long, but it does seem that one must travel too far of a distance for a decent book.

Now that's all great for me, and other 30+ yr olds who would rather read or do art than drink all day, but it does seem to me that the kids really get the raw-end of the deal in Halifax.

The loitering (and, of course, littering and multiple social problems which goes along with it) is a problem. By taking the time to talk with the kids, analyse their movements and habits, I think the council could come up with solutions throughout Halifax to help GIVE the kids something else to do, i.e.: village/small town-based community centres (perhaps offer a few classes, provides a free place for the kids to hang out, even create teamed-based groups and play against other communities).

I have not definitive ideas for Halifax, I'm still too new, but as I would with my own business, the best was to sort out the major issues is CLEARLY IDENTIFY them, by the majority, and then just do it one by one. Halifax does seem to be on some sort of brink - either to greatness or to complete ruin (and HBOS has much responsibility for this) - I just hope the developers listen to the people, that is, if they're not too apathetic.

Pull it all down and start again!

The railway station needs a complete overhaul, why not demolish the ugly and impractical bridge and make a new entrance at ground level and taxi/pick up area next to the old 3rd platform and move Eurekas car park to the other side of their building?
We need a cafe and bar at the station with a proper waiting area and TOILETS!

We need an HMV and a Primark in town.
Put a roof over the bottom part of Woolshops with doors on the ends and make it a bit like the Victoria Quarter in Leeds.

Put a 4th gate on the bottom part of the Piece Hall and link it better to Square Spire and improve that area making it thge main entrance for railway station users and Eureka visitors.

Yes, a glass canopy, not unlike the one at Westgate, across the Woolshops. Put glass sliding doors either end to keep the winos out at night.

People are obviousley very interested in ensuring Halifax is well & truly regenerated, and so they should be if they live in the are.

We also Need reassurances that these views and many others which will be voiced are taken very seriously, and looked into thoroughly.

It's all well and good having large numbers of consultations if people are to be told, it won't happen for another decade, we need action, and we need action now.

In the Pre-Budget report given by Alistar Darling, he says, that that would be £535million pounds to be spent on Transport Infrastructure, and if this is the case, we should be able to get some of this for Halifax.

Thinking about the Railway Station Gateway.
The idea appears to be to create movement from the station via Square Chapel and into the town centre through the Piece Hall.
The current objections appear to centre around the glass/copper walkway and a new entry to the Piece Hall made in the eastern wall.
As an alternative to this, why not improve the existing ancient Blackledge street that runs along the side of the Piece Hall, arriving at the main southern entrance, next to the Information office.
Entry this way gives a better all round view of the inside of the Hall and you could even cover the street,
hopefully in a more sympathetic way than Westgate.
The view when emerging from the Railway Station needs to be improved.
The Mill on the LHS is unsightly, although part of the Heritage of old Halifax, it needs to be made more presentable. With a redistribution of funds this could possibly be better than the existing proposal.

All good stuff. Well mostly.

The big danger for Calderdale however is building large amounts of extra housing which only encourages more folk to move here, so degrading our environment,increasing pollution and traffic congestion whilst placing huge new burdens on public services and infrastructure.

Government bribes to Calderdale for improving transprt links are self defeating, since they are linked to more housebuilding - better road/rail links AND more housing add up to zero net improvement.

Population stabilty - even reduction - should become a key objective.