£2.4m walking and cycling route planned between Brighouse and Bradley

The scheme is part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme aimed at encouraging more people to travel on foot and by bike.

The Bradley to Brighouse Greenway, which is being delivered in partnership with Kirklees Council and Calderdale Council, will be a 6.5km section of new route, providing a missing link in current cycling and walking infrastructure.

The scheme will include improvements to existing footpaths, bridleways and quiet roads through Bradley and Brighouse, with a new section of route being built alongside the Calder Hebble Navigation canal towpath.

New signage and junction and road crossing improvements also feature among the proposals.

Councillor Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Kirklees Council and Calderdale Council on this important scheme, which will provide local communities in Brighouse, Bradley and Mirfield with more opportunities to travel by bike and on foot.

“Enabling increasing numbers of us to travel by bike and on foot is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health, transport and economic challenges created by COVID-19, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.”

Once complete, the route will connect to the Birkby Bradley Greenway, the Calder Valley Greenway and the Huddersfield Broad Canal, with off-road routes to the Lower Spen Country Park and to Mirfield.

Coun Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Resilience, said: “Throughout lockdown, many people rediscovered their love of walking and cycling and we want to do all we can to enable this to continue.

“By improving our walking and cycling infrastructure, including off-road routes like the proposed Bradley to Brighouse Greenway, we can encourage people to continue using these methods of active travel and also support our work to address the climate emergency.

“The route will enable cyclists and pedestrians to enjoy a seamless, safe, convenient and accessible connection between communities and link with other Greenways across Calderdale and into Kirklees. It also aligns with our wider strategic ambitions for South East Calderdale, complementing ambitious plans to help encourage a shift away from car use.”

To deliver a wide range of transport improvements the West Yorkshire Combined Authority is seeking £12 million funding through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal.

The Growth Deal is a £1 billion package of Government investment through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

The plans are available to view online on the Combined Authority’s Your Voice here and people are invited to comment before the consultation ends on Wednesday October 14 2020.