How to have your say on latest designs for new £30m Halifax train station

Calderdale Council is working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to transform Halifax Rail Station, improving the customer’s travel experience and providing a boost to the local economy.

The latest design proposals, which people can now comment on, have been developed in partnership with contractor Mott MacDonald.

Halifax Rail Station is the sixth busiest in West Yorkshire. Before the pandemic, it served more than 1.9 million rail journeys each year.

The current station has limited facilities and poor accessibility, which will only get worse if passenger numbers grow as expected.

Between Monday January 18 and Sunday February 14, people will be able to give their feedback on the designs for the proposed new station, which include:

A new two-storey station building

A new footbridge to improve access to the station

Improved customer waiting and refreshment areas

Walking and cycling facilities and a new foot and cycle link connecting the station to the eastern side of the railway and the Hebble Trail.

Improved drop-off facilities, car parking and taxi pick-up areas.

Links to the A629 Phase 2 project, which includes the regeneration of the area between the station and The Piece Hall - better connecting the station to the rest of the town centre.

The preservation and incorporation of the station’s heritage features.

Councillor Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, said: “Having a modern, fit-for-purpose train station is important for business, jobs and tourism, and will play a key role in our recovery from COVID-19 and the wider regeneration of Calderdale.

“The plans for the new station include an impressive mix of new and heritage features, and we’re excited for people to see and comment on the designs.”

More than £30 million from the Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund and the Transforming Cities Fund is being invested into a new station.

Coun Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Calderdale Council on this important scheme, which will enable more people to travel by train, bike and on foot, while transforming the gateway to Halifax.

“Providing an accessible, affordable and attractive alternative to car journeys is at the heart of our Transforming Cities Fund programme. It is estimated the programme will improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people and take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads.

“Building the future we want with a transport system fit for the 21st century is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.”

The COVID-19 restrictions mean it is not possible to hold any public drop-in sessions, so people can learn more about the plans, see the latest designs and comment online at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/hsg.

People without internet access can ask for printed copies of the designs and surveys by calling 01422 288001.

The feedback from this consultation will be used to further develop plans and allow for the submission of the planning application for the scheme.

The scheme has received funding from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal - a £1billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

Find out more and have your say on the latest designs at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/hsg.