Work to begin on the 'largest individual civil engineering project ever' along the A629 Elland bypass

The complex phase of the A629 project, which is believed to be the largest individual civil engineering project ever undertaken by Calderdale Council, focuses on the key areas of Huddersfield Road, Stainland Road and Wakefield Road.

Following the appointment of John Sisk & Son as contractor to carry out the works, investigation and site preparation work is taking place throughout the rest of February and through March 2021.

As work will be carried out next to the highway, it will be necessary to introduce temporary lane closures along Elland Wood Bottom, Huddersfield Road and Stainland Road for the safety of the workforce.

To avoid disruption as much as possible, these closures will take place between 8pm and 5am. Some traffic management may also need to be introduced, but every effort will be taken to minimise disruption.  

This pre-construction phase will allow work to fully start on site in late summer this year, with full completion of the phase due in 2023.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, Councillor Jane Scullion, said: “Work will be visible around the area of the Calder and Hebble junction, this is part of the pre-construction phase to enable work to start later this year on phase 1b of the A629 project.

 “This phase of the project, which is fully funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, will see the area around the junction completely transformed. This includes the addition of a new link road via a newly created bridge, as well as junction improvements.

 “The landscape around the area will also be improved with the demolition of the derelict former Punchbowl Pub, making a real difference to the gateway to Halifax. Planting and landscaping will also take place on land north of the new bridge site, including creation of a new wetland to encourage biodiversity.”

The A629 Calder and Hebble phase will see a new link road created via a bridge spanning the Calder and Hebble Navigation to a roundabout on Stainland Road.

The project, which is funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will include facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and a section of new northbound bus lane on Stainland Road.  

A new signal-controlled junction at the interchange of A629 / Jubilee Road and an improved approach lane will also be introduced, as well as landscaping along Stainland Road, additional access points to the canal tow path and creation of a new wetland habitat.  

Coun Denise Jeffrey, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee, said: “This important project will cut congestion, improve journey times and encourage more people to choose cycling and walking as we look to create a transport system that connects people to jobs, education, services and each other.

“This project is part of a wider programme of investment including a new bus and rail interchange, remodelled bus station, new bus routing and improved quality public areas. It’s more than just getting people from A to B, but about helping people to use everyday journeys as a way of accessing more chances in life, through a clean, affordable transport system.”

The A629 improvement programme has received funding through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.