Dates announced for Calderdale residents to have their say on contentious cycle lane plans

Todmorden Town Deal has said the latest options for the Active Todmorden project – which will be funded by money from the town’s Town Deal award – will be on display at Todmorden Market on two dates next week.

The Town Deal board says: “All are welcome to come along and view the latest options for the Active Todmorden project.

“The project team will be on hand to share the latest information and designs and discuss the ideas with local residents, communities and businesses and to gather your feedback.”

There are two dates, each with a four hour timeslot – Thursday, October 24 and Saturday, October 26, between 10am and 2pm on both days.

The Active Todmorden cycleway project is one of eight projects which will use money from the £17.5 million Town Deal award from Government.

As a highways issue, project lead on this element of the Town Deal is Calderdale Council.

Concerns voiced by objectors include loss of parking spaces and safety issues at various junctions on the proposed route of the cycleway, which it is proposed runs from the town centre and along a section of Burnley Road.

Supporters of the scheme argue it will make active travel safer and encourage more people to walk and cycle.

Two different Facebook groups have formed to contest proposals in their current form.

Tod Citizens Against Town Deal Cycle Lane and Parking Proposals has more than 900 members.

Meanwhile Todmorden Moving Forward has 170 followers, believing proposals need changing but that they can be improved.

The cycle scheme also has support, with a petition recently launched online gaining more than 900 signatures.

The issue, along with another controversial proposal Town Deal to remove parking from next to Todmorden market, with compensatory space close by but with a reduction in spaces, was raised at a recent Todmorden Ward Forum.

Six of the eight town deal projects, including ambitious plans for the town’s Hippodrome Theatre and Centre Vale Park improvements including historic bandstand restoration, have generally been well received.