New Calderdale roadworks scheme aims to curb disruption

Calderdale Council’s former Labour administration set the process of lane rental – rather than permitting – in motion.

Now the new Reform administration is taking the lane rental option, which does need relevant approvals, forward.

It comes as a senior councillor said that a utility firm has been fined by the council for issues around roadworks on Burnley Road at Tenterfields in Luddenden Foot, which have recently caused frustration, around a traffic lights issue.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for Highways and Transport, Coun Darren Commons, said the council understood people’s frustration with the Energy Assets Pipelines roadworks at Tenterfields.

“We know how important it is for people to get from A to B as easily as possible, and we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action against a company when its work causes people unnecessary disruption and delays,” he said.

“In this case, we fined the company for not complying with the permit conditions we’d set out under the All Street Permit Scheme.

“The company was operating the temporary traffic lights in a way that wasn’t approved by the council, and there was no justifiable basis for this.”

Before the work, due to be completed by last weekend, ended, this required the signals to follow the sequence required by the council to minimise delays for road users, said Coun Commons (Reform UK, Brighouse).

The lane rental – a charge councils can make per day, rather than an overall scheme permit - is being taken forward, he added.

“We are aiming to introduce our ‘lane rental’ scheme in 2027, subject to approval from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority,” said Coun Commons.

“This would encourage organisations working on the busiest roads to carry out their work with the least disruption possible.

“If this is not achieved, the council would have the option to impose additional charges.”

Energy Assets has been contacted for comment over the fining issue.