Major Road Improvements A629 Huddersfield to Ainley Top
Please note that contributions to this engagement are now closed. The project team has evaluated and reviewed all comments received. A report has been sent to Kirklees Council's Cabinet which includes updates to the proposals based on your feedback. You can view the cabinet report by clicking here to download a copy, or from our documents library on this page.
Why we are improving the A629
Congestion, long journey times and poor air quality is currently experienced along the A629. Kirklees Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is working toward a programme of transport improvements on the A629 between Huddersfield and Ainley Top that will address these issues and drive economic growth.
West Yorkshire Transport Fund
As part of the 'City Deal' between West Yorkshire, York and central government, a £1 billion transport fund has been allocated to the region to increase housing, employment and economic growth. It is this funding that will enable transport improvements to be made along the A629.
A629 Halifax to Huddersfield corridor
The A629 Halifax to Huddersfield has been identified as a key route that, through improvements, could create 1740 jobs by 2026, relieve congestion, reduce journey times for general traffic, and improve pedestrian and cycling accessibility. Kirklees and Calderdale Councils are jointly developing interventions that will be introduced in various phases. For information about the Calderdale part of the A629 see calderdalenextchapter.co.uk (this link will open in a new tab).
Objectives
- Improve accessibility by reducing congestion and improving journey times and reliability
- Improve air quality
- Support job retention and growth
- Support housing growth
- Support economic growth
A629 Halifax Road (Phase 5)
There are four locations where improvements are proposed along the A629 between Huddersfield town centre and Ainley Top roundabout. These are:
A - Blacker Road junction
Edgerton Road / Edgerton Grove Road, New North Road / Blacker Road
B - Cavalry Arms junction
East Street / Birkby Road / Halifax Road
C - Prince Royd
Between Cavalry Arms junction and Birchencliffe Hill Road
D - Ainley Top
Yew Tree Road to Ainley Top roundabout
Detailed plans of these improvements can be found in the plans section of this page, or downloaded from our documents library to view in more detail - access to both of these is at the right of this page, or at the bottom if you are viewing on a mobile phone or tablet.
The engagement on these plans has now closed and all feedback is now being examined. Further information will be posted here when it becomes available.
Conservation - walls and trees
To make improvements to the A629 (between Huddersfield and Ainley Top) it will be necessary to widen the road in some locations. This will impact on some existing walls and trees that lie within a conservation area.
Walls
Where conservation area walls are impacted by the A629 scheme, these will be handled with care, and advice and guidance provided by conservation planning officers. If the position of a wall is changed, it will be rebuilt in the same style using the same materials where possible. If existing materials are already damaged or missing then new materials may have to be used. In these instances the rebuild will be sympathetic as possible with the original to create at least the same, if not a better finish. We know that some walls are in very poor condition and will need rebuilding.
Changes to the pavements around pelican crossings (red and green man, traffic light controlled) will include changing red tactile paving to stone. There is also the potential that as part of the scheme some street furniture will be enhanced to reflect the conservation status of the area.
Trees
Before any work begins that may impact on existing trees, a survey will done to understand the species, quality, age, height and size (spread of branches etc.). This information will be used when replacing removed trees. Replacement trees will be as mature as possible, and of the same species, within the same lane, subject to available space being available, and agreement with the landowner.
We will also be looking to provide tree planting at Ainley Top roundabout, but we would like to know if there is anywhere else you think we could plant trees. We do not have a specific number of trees at this time, and we are focusing on the ward areas that surround the A629 scheme; Greenhead, Ashbrow and Lindley, but we are open to other suggestions.
Please place a ‘tree pin’ on the map where you think we could enhance the environment by planting trees, and include a comment if necessary.
