Calderdale Corridor Improvement Programmes Phase 1

Nationally, regionally and locally we have policies to remove parking from the main roads. They are becoming congested with parked cars in places and slowing the movement of vehicles especially buses and HGVs. This is causing significant air pollution and delays to buses. The bus operators then must put on another vehicle + driver to offer the same service or reduce the service. This creates a vicious cycle of decline in bus services and leads to worse congestion.

We also have a significant number of cyclists. It is good for your health and for the environment to cycle and we want to encourage cycle use. However, cyclists are deterred from using their bikes or are being killed or seriously injured because they do not have enough space on the highway. Cyclists, just as car drivers, need route choices. Not all want to cycle on a greenway. The road hierarchy is to provide highway space for walking and cycling first- to prioritise over the car. We want to reallocate this parking on the A646 for cyclists and buses.

We undertook a comprehensive survey in Hebden Bridge and found that there is capacity to park in the long stay car parks. They get nearly full between 11-1 however. I don’t know what time you arrive for work however. We are trying to build a new car park on the western side of HB where there is less provision.

I hope this helps answer your question.

There are no current proposals to use the space used by parked cars for cycle lanes as part of the current submission. As the next stage of the project commences and all the proposals are revisited the designs will evolve with consideration given to other uses for the road space. 44 additional spaces are being created at Hebden Bridge rail station which will replace the majority of the ‘spaces’ being lost. The Hebden Bridge Parking study will address the wider parking proposals for the town.

Any amendments to current parking arrangements have been considered as part of the wider parking arrangements across Hebden Bridge. The proposed rail station car park expansion at both Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd been delivered independent of these proposals will increase the parking provision for users of the rail station.

The designs presented at the public consultation are feasibility design only and specific locations of street furniture including traffic signals would be determined at a later design stage.  However it can be confirmed that traffic signal locations will not impact residential access and be located to maximise available footway width. Driveways close to the signals can be provided with ‘Keep Clear’ marking to prevent blocking.

Due to the requirements for the business case document only certain years have been modelled. Therefore the numbers provided are based on forecasts in 2036, which is the furthest point in time that has been considered. Future year traffic flows have been based on the most up to date Local Plan and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments with background growth assumption based on industry standard software.

There are no queues forecast on the A646 or Commercial Street in 2036 without signals. With signalisation of the junction the average queue eastbound is 3 vehicles, with an average queue of 1 vehicle westbound. Average queues on Commercial Street of 2 vehicles are forecast. Across both the morning and evening peak period traffic flows will increase by less than 1 vehicle per minute in each direction with the traffic signals.

The proposed pedestrian crossing is not required to have the audible (bleep) to inform visually impaired users of when the pedestrian crossing is on green.  A tactile rotator cone can be provided which performs the same function without the ‘bleep’.

The proposed works aim to resolve issues associated with congestion and conflict from parked cars, improving journey times and air quality as well as improving safety for all users.

The A58 / A646 are the official diversion route promoted by Highways England if the M62 is closed. Any changes to this diversion route are outside of the scope of this study. The option of a freight consolidation centre along the M62 around the Calderdale area has been considered, but is currently outside of the scope of this study. 

We asses each application on its merits. We are requiring the applicant to address the impacts of the development. The HDC responses include the requirement for improvement works in the highway fronting the site, a TRO to control unloading on the frontage and we are ensuring the internal layout is revised to address servicing issues.

Regarding parking provision, there is no requirement to provide any additional spaces given the location in the defined town centre and the availability of public car parking within walking distance.

Calderdale Council are already aware of complaints regarding an ice cream van in Hebden.

Parking fines have been issued on a number of occasions but they appear to be happy to pay them as they have been making so much profit this summer at that location.

We are yet to consider alternative options. However, it is likely to be a police prosecution issue.

The signal controlled crossing at Holme Street / Bridge Gate will have facilities for both cyclists and pedestrians to cross the A646.

The proposals on Albert Street are not intended to address an issue on the street. The proposals are part of measures to remove the layover for buses on the A646 opposite the picture house by providing alternative facilities.