Can bluetooth technology put an end to Mytholmroyd roadwork headache?

Calderdale Council has been working with the Environment Agency alongside specialist suppliers to make traffic management as effective as possible during the next stage of flood alleviation works in the village.

Starting from today, temporary traffic lights will be installed so that work can be completed, starting with drainage improvements along Burnley Road to reduce the risk of surface water flooding.

Other elements of the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme include the construction of new, raised and improved flood walls, waterproofing of buildings next to the river and relocation of Caldene Bridge to allow the river to be widened to improve its capacity and reduce the risk of flooding.

Traffic management will be required along Burnley Road until the scheme is complete in winter 2019/20.

This is unavoidable due to the proximity of the riverside to the highway.

To mitigate the impact, the Council has been working closely with the Environment Agency and partners to address the challenge of effective traffic management as the scheme progresses.

Bluetooth technology will be used to monitor the queues more accurately and provide data on the journey times between specific points.

It will also allow the traffic light operative, who will be monitoring the lights with a tablet or mobile phone, to balance the queues according to peak travel direction - improving the traffic flows for morning and evening commuters.

The two pelican crossings at New Road and Caldene Avenue will be replaced with a temporary crossing linked to the traffic lights to ensure an appropriate balance between the traffic flow from each direction whilst providing a safe place to cross.

Helen Batt, catchment director for Calderdale for the Environment Agency, said: “We trialled the use of this technology last week to make sure that it is as effective as possible ahead of our essential work to construct the flood alleviation scheme in Mytholmoyd. It will help us to improve traffic flow and minimise any disruption caused by the temporary traffic lights.

“We understand the frustration and inconvenience that traffic management causes and we would like to thank members of the local community and commuters for their understanding.

“We have taken comments from members of the community on board to make improvements which will help reduce any queues for motorists. We would like to thank pedestrians for their patience whilst the temporary crossing is in place.”