FAQs

The Dewsbury-Batley-Chidswell Corridor is a key route through North Kirklees which experiences high volumes of traffic. It covers a large area, extending northwards from Dewsbury Ring Road via the A652 Bradford Road through to Batley town centre. It also includes links eastwards to A653 Leeds Road via Soothill Lane and Grange Road. The map of the route is shown here.

A long list of possible options for the corridor was evaluated against the scheme objectives, forecasted costs and benefits and then prioritised for design. The options selected were ones which met the original objectives of the scheme, were most likely to offer the best value for money, and took account of wider social and environmental constraints.

The key objectives of the Dewsbury- Batley- Chidswell Sustainable Travel Corridor project are:

• Enhance the bus offer along the corridor
• Create an improved and safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists
• Deliver better air quality
• Support nearby major development sites
• Improve ‘Rouse Mill Lane Triangle’ to allow safer journeys

Kirklees Council is responsible for delivering the scheme. Kirklees Council is working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The Combined Authority works with Local Authorities and businesses across West Yorkshire and York to create economic growth through infrastructure projects such as this. To learn more about the Combined Authority, visit: https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/

These projects/ schemes are being funded through the Transforming Cities Fund, provided by the Department for Transport following a successful bidding process. The programme aims to provide improved infrastructure for active and sustainable travel (walking, cycling and public transport). The projects are not funded by Council Tax, nor will the funding allocations impact other Council funding streams. The Dewsbury- Batley-Chidswell Sustainable Travel Corridor has £6m allocated funding from the TCF programme.

The scheme has close relationships with the following schemes:

• A638 Dewsbury to Cleckheaton Sustainable Travel Corridor
• Dewsbury Town Centre Walking and Cycling improvements
• Mirfield to Dewsbury to Leeds transport scheme
• Batley Streets for People scheme

The Dewsbury-Batley-Chidswell Sustainable Travel Corridor will contribute to Kirklees Council’s 2038 carbon neutral vision, and the Combined Authority’s Net Zero Carbon Economy by 2038. 

The scheme achieve this primarily by encouraging more people to walk, cycle and use the bus, through making these options more reliable, attractive and achievable. Green infrastructure (such as trees, landscaping and sustainable drainage) will also be utilised where appropriate.

The scheme aims to achieve better reliability for buses along the corridor. We are looking to provide bus priority at key junctions through new technology on the approaches and at traffic lights, which will reduce delays and improve journey times. We are also upgrading a number of bus stops to improve the experience for people waiting for buses, including Real Time Information (RTI) updates to inform when the next bus is arriving.

No new bus stops are proposed as part of the scheme. However, some current bus stops may be relocated and/ or upgraded as part of the corridor project. The scheme is at an early stage of development and this will be determined when undertaking the next design stage with further consultation planned at that point.

We are currently developing concept and feasibility designs for the projects, and it is unlikely that bus stops will be removed and not replaced. We will provide an update at the next round of public engagement.

A key objective of the scheme is to create an improved and safer environment for cyclists along the corridor. We are looking to provide dedicated cycle facilities on A652 Bradford Road (or a parallel off-road route as an alternative option), leading into Batley town centre. We are also looking to provide new cycle facilities on Grange Road, including upgrading the existing Byway between Leeds Road and Challenge Way. This will provide a seamless connection from A653 Leeds Road into Dewsbury and Batley Town Centres, as well as linking with Batley Bus and Rail Stations. This will make it safer, easier and more enjoyable for cyclists to travel along these busy routes. It is anticipated that the scheme will result in an increased number of people cycling. 

As part of our scheme consultation we will engage with local cycle groups. As the scheme is still in its early stages, we would like to hear your thoughts on this to help us develop the plans.

New and upgraded pedestrian and cycle crossings will be provided. This scheme aims to provide betterment to pedestrian safety and amenity through footway widening at certain locations where existing provision is very poor and / or there is high footfall demand. 

There are currently no crossing facilities at the Bradford Road junction with Hick Lane, which is unsafe for pedestrians given the high traffic volumes at this location. As part of the scheme we are proposing to provide crossing facilities on all arms of the junction to improve safety. 

It is intended that the improvements will make it more pleasant and safer to walk in the area, and encourage more people to travel on foot.

The provision of new cycling infrastructure is achieved through widening into the central reservation, narrowing traffic lanes and in some locations restricting on-street parking. Some of the right turn pockets on Bradford Road may also need to be removed. The potential location for cycle facilities and any impacts of this, particularly on parking availability, are shown in the consultation plans.

The proposed cycle facilities will be designed in line with the latest design recommendations from the Department for Transport, which will ensure that safe access to properties as well as to parking (where remaining / existing / proposed) is provided. 

To deliver the proposed cycle lanes, there may be some minor impacts to a number of business accesses, but early engagement with all affected parties is ongoing.

The aim of this first consultation phase is to gauge public opinion on the principle of the proposals before investing further in scheme development. The next stage of design will include modelling analysis and appraisal, which will then be used with the consultation feedback to develop the scheme further. Kirklees Council will undertake a second public consultation with more detailed plans and quantified benefits / impacts in 2022.

Some of the design options within the scheme would impact on local parking on the highway along certain stretches of the corridor, including A652 Bradford Road, Soothill Lane, Rouse Mill Lane, Branch Road and Well Lane.  Initial locations for parking restrictions are clearly shown on the consultation drawings. The timing of restrictions at each location has not been developed yet. The extent and type of parking restrictions will be developed as the scheme evolves based on scheme objectives and stakeholder feedback. Residents, businesses and any other stakeholders will be consulted further on the detail before any changes can be made.

Sections of the roads where new cycle lanes or widened footways are proposed are already covered by single yellow lines which restrict parking at certain time of the day. To enable the new infrastructure, some of these areas would need full time parking restrictions in the form of double yellow lines. The consultation drawings present the maximum extent of new restrictions, however the exact locations and timings have not been determined and will be developed as part of the next design stage. Residents, businesses and any other stakeholders will be consulted further on the detail before any changes can be made.

Pedestrian access to all properties and shops will be maintained. Some of the proposed parking restrictions may mean that alternative loading areas would have to be used, or that deliveries would be restricted to certain times of the day (such as outside of peak periods). The scheme is at an early stage and these restrictions are likely to evolve throughout the design, which is why we are seeking your input now with this consultation.

All access to properties will be maintained. Any changes in routing / proposed one-way streets may mean that your route will be slightly different, but access to all properties and shops will be maintained.

At this stage it is anticipated that the majority of the construction works can take place within the existing highway boundary or land owned by Kirklees Council. For a number of the proposals to be delivered, some minor land acquisition may be required, however this will be confirmed as the design progresses. Any affected landowners would be contacted directly by the project team.

The designs have been developed to try and avoid any tree loss. However, this will be dependent on the final scheme design and tree surveys currently being undertaken. 

In the unfortunate event that trees must be removed, we will comply with policies outlined in the Kirklees Local Plan, including the recently adopted Open Space Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which refers to biodiversity net gain.

The phasing of roadworks on the public highway still needs to be planned. Nearer the time of construction, local residents and businesses will be provided with more information about what will happen and where. A Construction Management Plan will be developed to minimise the impacts of construction activities on local residents, businesses and visitors.

The details of roadworks and timings will be determined closer to the time of construction. Roadworks would only be carried out at night in limited circumstances to meet traffic operational requirements and residents would be informed well in advance.

The scheme is currently under development and is going through design review and consultation stages, with a preferred scheme to be identified by Outline Business Case stage in December 2021.  There are several stages of business case approval from the Combined Authority to fulfil local assurance requirements prior to construction.  Due to the size and complexity of the proposed construction works, the improvements may be introduced in phases. Construction of the scheme is projected to commence in summer 2022.

The scheme is reviewed through sequenced decision gateways in the Assurance Process of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. There are five business case gateways within this assurance process.  At each stage, recommendations on the scheme are made by an officer-based appraisal team to the relevant committee(s) of elected members.

Funding for the early phase of the scheme was secured through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to allow Kirklees Council to start developing and promoting the scheme. This has allowed us to undertake initial studies and business case development, optioneering and outline designing. This project is still at an early stage of development but has secured Combined Authority and Kirklees Cabinet approvals at the Strategic Outline Case stage.

Kirklees Council is consulting on this scheme to understand public opinion before undertaking more detailed design and analysis. The analysis will incorporate feedback from this first consultation and include: 

• Further junction modelling using computer software to determine benefits and potential impacts on user journey times
• Wider benefits and impacts relating to people shifting to sustainable modes of transport (such as walking, cycling and public transport), safety improvements, public open space and landscaped grass or planted areas
• Continued discussions with stakeholders such as local Councillors, businesses, resident groups, landowners and local action groups
• Appraisal to help determine whether the proposals offer ‘value for money’ against defined Department for Transport criteria

Kirklees Council will undertake further public consultation once designs have been progressed and more information can be provided on quantified benefits and impacts – for example what journey time savings might bus passengers experience or the number of new pedestrian crossing points or area of new pavement space.  This second phase of consultation is expected to take place in the Spring of 2022.

The consultation period will take place from 5 October until 2 November 2021. Members of the public can have their say via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/DBCtravel or email yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk. We are keen to hear from local residents, businesses and all road users.

Leaflets, letter drops and posters are being provided in the area around the scheme and real time information screens at bus shelters will display information. Anyone who cannot access the survey online and needs to request an alternative format should contact MetroLine on 0113 245 7676.

We welcome opinions and feedback from all members of the public. Whether you travel by public transport, walk, drive, or cycle, are a resident, business owner, or just travel through the area, your views, opinions and insights are valuable to us to shape the project. Please share the link www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/DBC travel with anyone you think would be interested in taking part. If you intend to submit a joint response on behalf of a group/organisation, please share the link with your colleagues/members so they can provide an individual response, should they wish to do so.

You can register to follow the project and have your say in any future consultations at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/DBCtravel. Updates on project progress will also be provided via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Kirklees Council webpages and via press articles. You can also contact your Local Ward Councillors. We will publish a report on the consultation response on this website.

Providing an accessible, attractive and cleaner alternative to car journeys is at the heart of Leeds City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) - a major new programme of transport infrastructure investment secured as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal.  

The programme will be funded through £317 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) plus local match funding of up to £140 million.    

In partnership with local authorities, the Combined Authority will deliver transformational infrastructure, which will dramatically improve people’s access to walking, cycling and public transport.  

It is estimated TCF schemes will improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people, take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads and reduce CO2 emissions from car travel by up to 15,000 tonnes by 2036.    

Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides.

It is estimated TCF will:  

• improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people
• take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads by 2036
• make 33 million rail journeys easier by improvements to rail stations
• increase bus, rail, and walking and cycling trips by up to 6%, 4% and 7% respectively by 2036
• reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1.5% / 15,000 tonnes from car travel by 2036
• create more than 1,000 jobs and add up to £1 billion to the economy by 2036
• support connectivity to 650 housing sites and 220 employment sites  

Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides.  

The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities.  This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.

As part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the DfT’s TCF programme to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario.  

Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to an additional £140 million.    

This additional funding will help us deliver more transport improvements, which will benefit communities across West Yorkshire.

The programme will deliver:  

• two new Park & Rides
• one new rail station
• four new foot and cycle bridges
• six new or improved bus stations and interchange hubs
• new high quality cycle routes along six corridors
• bus priority along six key bus routes to create more reliable and faster bus journey times
• 800 new cycle parking spaces
• seven improvements to Rail Station Gateways
• new Real Time Information and improved passenger experience across the network.

There are 22 packages of schemes, comprising of 35 individual projects, within the overall programme.  

Different schemes are at different stages, right through from the development of business cases and designs, to gearing up for public consultation, with Halifax Bus Station redevelopment due to start on site in spring 2021.    

Find out more information at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF.

This work is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.  

We need to reduce car trips by 21% and increase cycling trips by 2,000%, walking trips by 78%, bus strips by 39% and rail trips by 53% if we are to achieve our ambitious net zero targets in this time frame.   

The programme will connect people to economic and education opportunities through accessible, affordable, attractive and cleaner transport, boosting productivity and helping to create healthier and happier communities for the future.    

Through the programme and building on the significant progress already made, we are working in partnership to transform our town and city centres for walking and cycling, improve bus reliability and journey times, and investing in our region to prepare for HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is working in partnership with local authority colleagues from Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York councils on the TCF programme.

To date, there has been minimal impact of the programme as a result of COVID-19.  The majority of the projects are at the early stages of development and much of the work required can be carried out virtually.   As the schemes move to the next stage of delivery, we will continue to monitor the impact and identify any risks to delivery.    

The Combined Authority is looking at best practice ways of delivering public consultations and engagement activity to ensure all members of the community get the opportunity to have their say on TCF schemes during COVID-19.    

The full implications of COVID-19 on the region, the economy and the transport system are still to be understood and the impact on the Combined Authority’s programmes and schemes to date has been mixed.   

We are working closely with our local authority partners at every level of our appraisal process to ensure delivery timescales have taken into account the current issues and that each scheme is stress tested to ensure its ongoing viability.   

In the wake of COVID-19 it is more important than ever to assess the changes to the landscapes of our towns and cities, and the impact on current and future planned schemes, particularly, but not exclusively, those relating to transport.   

The impact of COVID-19 in relation to travel behaviour into and around towns and cities is assessed as part of each scheme’s appraisal.   

While public transport patronage is currently lower than pre COVID-19 levels, it remains a priority to invest in public transport infrastructure to both help with economic recovery and to have the required infrastructure in place to respond to an increase in demand post-COVID-19.

The schemes funded through the DfT need to be delivered by spring 2023, with schemes financed by local match funding being delivered beyond these timescales.

A range of options are being developed as part of each business case to determine the best scheme, which will include a range of options up to the high-cost scenario.  

As part of the devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the DfT’s TCF to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario.  

Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to £140 million.

It will build on the significant investment already made through the Combined Authority’s other programmes, such as the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, Connecting Leeds and CityConnect.  

Many of the TCF schemes provide enhancements or extensions to the projects being delivered through these programmes, helping to spread the benefits across a wider geography.    

The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities.  This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.   

For more information about the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund   

For more information about Connecting Leeds visit www.leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/connecting-leeds-and-transforming-travel   

For more information about CityConnect visit www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk

Find out more information about the Transforming Cities Fund programme at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF 

The bid was led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with the 10 local authorities across the Leeds City Region. It was developed in two stages, with a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) submitted to the DfT in June 2019. The final bid was submitted to the DfT in November 2019. The bid documents can be found at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF  

Public consultation and engagement activities are taking place throughout 2021.    

Details of the TCF consultations can be found at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk.  You can get in touch with the Combined Authority’s Consultation and Engagement team via YourVoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk (External link), 0113 245 7676 or Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA).  Please note that, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the majority of the Combined Authority’s staff are working from home and there will therefore be significant delays in receiving any postal contributions. If you can, please contact the team using another method to ensure a quick response.

The bid was developed in partnership with local authorities across the Leeds City Region, including Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York. The bid was also co-developed with the DfT, which provided feedback on the plans as they emerged. In line with other Mayoral Combined Authorities, we are required to feedback on the progress of the programme’s delivery.

The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities.  This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.   

As part of the bidding process, the Combined Authority was asked to develop a series of schemes, which could be delivered under three different cost scenarios (low, core and high).   Each scheme needed to meet the Combined Authority’s priorities, as well as objectives set out by the DfT, such as reducing carbon emissions, and increasing capacity for commuters with better access to employment centres, especially from disadvantaged communities.   

Schemes put forward by local authorities were scored against the objectives before being reviewed as a programme.  Once agreement had been reached between local authority and Combined Authority officers, the programme was signed off by each of the leaders, as well as members of the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee.