Craig Whittaker MP has welcomed a £7.4 million investment to improve cycling and walking access as a “step in the right direction”.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Investment Committee (‘WYCAIC’) has recommended the funding boost which will support a scheme package aimed at promoting active travel to and from the Brighouse and Elland Railway Stations.
The Government recently invested £317 million into the Leeds City Regions ‘Transforming Cities Fund’. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority claim that the fund will deliver ‘transformational new infrastructure’ across the region. Calder Valley will benefit from this, with £5.42 million of the £7.4 million originating from the Government’s investment.
The scheme comprises of two projects which will:
- Improve links between the Calderdale Greenway and Elland Railway Station by creating two pedestrian/cycle bridges. The Calderdale Greenway stretches from Hebden Bridge to Brighouse and provides direct and traffic free travel for cyclists and walkers;
- Upgrade routes around Elland to improve cycling and walking routes, including an upgraded access road which will provide direct and traffic free access to Elland town centre and the railway station; and
- Improve priority pinch points and junctions from the north of Brighouse to Brighouse town centre, which will improve safe access to Brighouse Railway Station.
Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley, said:
“I welcome the £7.4 Miilion funding boost which will support a scheme package aimed at promoting active travel to and from the Brighouse and Elland Railway stations.
This investment will create more opportunities for public transport users. The proposed schemes will create safer cycle routes which will make active travel a viable option for commuters. This will increase employment and educational opportunities for many across the area.
Active travel will also improve lifestyle and wellbeing. This £7.4 million investment compliments the Government’s recent £2 billion funding package which will create thousands of miles of protected cycle routes across the country.
However, Calderdale Council must not over promise. The report presented to the WYCAIC states that Brighouse and Elland both have problems with congestion. This congestion will be made worse by the substantial housing growth proposed in Calderdale’s Local Housing Plan.
Schemes such as this will not solve our local congestion problems on their own. Calderdale Council must invest in our local road network to make tangible changes. These changes would not only decrease car usage, but also increase capacity.”
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