Dewsbury-Batley-Chidswell Travel Corridor
Consultation has concluded
Please note that this consultation is now closed.
Transforming travel between Dewsbury, Batley and Chidswell
In October and November 2021, we asked for your feedback on initial proposals to improve walking, cycling and public transport between Dewsbury, Batley and Chidswell. We have made some changes to the proposals based on your feedback and further design reviews. We would like to hear your views on the updated proposals.
How can I get involved?
We recommend you view the plans and read this page first to find out more about the scheme.
Complete the survey by the extended deadline of Thursday 27 October to give us your feedback
Read our frequently asked questions (FAQs) or ask us a question
Tell others about this consultation
Join us at an event to speak to the project team:
Drop in events: No need to register – just turn up | ||
Soothill Community Centre WF17 6NL | Thursday 29 September | 2 – 7pm |
The Whitfield Centre WF17 6HP | Tuesday 11 October | 2 – 7pm |
Online webinars | ||
Friday 7 October | 12.30 – 1.30pm | Registration closed |
Thursday 13 October | 6.30 – 7.30pm | Registration closed |
Scheme aims
Kirklees Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are working together to deliver improvements which will benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
The aims of this scheme are to:
- Create a safer, more accessible, and attractive environment for people to walk, cycle and take public transport
- Improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions by empowering people to travel more sustainably and reduce reliance on cars
- Upgrade bus stops along the route to provide better live passenger information and waiting facilities
- Improve access between new homes, jobs, and local services
Transforming Cities Fund
Providing more accessible, attractive and cleaner alternatives to car journeys is at the heart of the Transforming Cities Fund programme. The Dewsbury-Batley-Chidswell scheme is part of this major programme of transport infrastructure investment secured as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal.
Kirklees Council has secured £75m of central government funding which is ringfenced for schemes improving walking, cycling, and public transport. This investment will also help ‘level up’ the UK economy and redistribute wealth, jobs, and investment more equitably across England. This investment forms part of a much wider plan to tackle the climate crisis and deliver a more sustainable future for the region.
Approximately £6m is allocated towards the Dewsbury-Batley-Chidswell Sustainable Travel Corridor, which forms just one of the transformational projects to be delivered.
Why have changes been proposed?
The A652 Bradford Road is a busy route, experiencing high traffic volumes and delays, particularly during peak periods. This means buses along the route can get delayed, and it is not as easy to walk or cycle as it could be.
Grange Road and Soothill Lane provide key east-west links between Batley and Chidswell but offer limited opportunities for travelling on foot or by bike, due to high traffic volumes and a lack of facilities.
There are also several new housing developments and employment sites planned or under construction in the area, which means extra pressure on an already congested route.
The proposals
These improvements to the Dewsbury-Batley-Chidswell area offer an opportunity to improve walking, cycling and bus journeys for everyone. Active travel can help reduce congestion, improve connectivity, and benefit the community’s physical and mental health.
We are asking for your views in the following areas:
Zone 1: A652 Bradford Road (Dewsbury Ring Road to Rouse Mill Lane) includes:
- Shared-use paths for people walking or cycling, including the transformation of the unused railway line into a new accessible off-road ‘Greenway’ with benches, lighting, and CCTV
- One-way segregated cycle lanes
- Upgraded junctions and crossings with bus priority technology
Zone 2: Soothill Lane includes:
- Improved footpaths and safer crossings, including an additional footpath across Soothill Lane railway bridge
- Real time information at bus stops
- New landscaping and benches
Zone 3: Grange Road and Challenge Way includes:
- Shared-use paths for people walking or cycling including upgrading of the existing off-road track
- Traffic calming measures including speed cushions and vehicle activated speed signs
- New landscaping, drainage, street lighting, benches, and CCTV
This consultation closed on Thursday 27 October 2022
What has happened since the first consultation?
During the initial consultation in 2021, most of the proposals received support. However, where proposals received less support, we have made some changes and we would now like to hear your views on the updated designs.
You can find out more about the original proposals and the feedback we received during the earlier consultation here.
Some proposals since the first round have already been progressed. You supported installing new cycling parking at Batley Rail Station and this has now been installed by Northern Rail. We also consulted on an improved connection between people walking between Tesco Extra and Commercial Street. This is soon to be consulted on as part of an upcoming Streets for People scheme.
Have your say
Get involved between 22 September and 27 October 2022 and tell us about your thoughts on the new proposals:
View the plans and complete the survey
Join us at an event to speak to the project teams
Read our frequently asked questions (FAQs) or ask us a question
Tell others about this consultation
Contact us and accessibility
If you would like to contact us, or request information in an alternative format, you can:
Email yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
Phone MetroLine on 0113 245 7676
Write to Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA)
You can also print the survey and send it back to our freepost address.
Next steps
Following the close of this second consultation on 27 October 2022, feedback will be considered as the designs develop and more technical assessment will be undertaken. Your views and comments will be put together in an outcome report and used to shape and inform the scheme. The report will be made available later this year. We then intend to submit a planning application and request funding to begin construction in August 2023.
FAQs
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About the scheme
- What is the Dewsbury-Batley-Chidswell corridor?
- What are the main objectives of the scheme?
- Who is responsible for delivering the scheme?
- Who is paying for the project?
- Which proposals received support during the first consultation?
- Which proposals did not receive support during the first consultation and how have they changed?
- Does this project have relationships with other highways or regeneration projects?
- How will the proposals address the climate emergency?
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Walking, cycling and buses
- How would the scheme affect buses using the corridor?
- Would there be any new bus stops? Would these be outside my house/business?
- Would any bus stops be removed?
- How would the scheme affect people cycling using the corridor?
- How would this scheme benefit people who walk?
- Would the new cycle facilities impact on existing road space for cars?
- Would the proposed cycle lanes prevent access to properties or make it unsafe where there is existing parking in place?
- What detailed technical work has taken place to determine benefits and impacts of the proposals? Can these be quantified?
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Impact on those living nearby
- Would the scheme impact on local parking for residents and businesses?
- Why do the scheme plans show ‘New / amended parking restrictions’ alongside ‘Existing parking restrictions’?
- Would deliveries be impacted by the proposals?
- Would I be able to access my property / shop with the proposed traffic restrictions?
- Does the scheme require any land take / is my property at risk?
- What would happen to trees located along the route?
- Would any work on site be carried out during the day, and what will you do to minimise any impact on businesses/residents?
- Would any roadworks be carried out at night and what will you do to minimise any impact on residents?
- When would work start on site?
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The decision-making process
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Having your say and staying informed
- How can members of the public have their say on the proposals?
- How will we ensure the consultation will be accessible to people who do not have access to the internet?
- Who can take part? Can I tell other people to take part?
- How will residents and businesses be kept informed on the progress of the scheme?
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About the Transforming Cities Fund
- What is the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme?
- Which organisations are involved?
- What benefits will the TCF programme bring?
- How is the programme funded?
- Why is this work important? / Why is this money being funded at this time?
- Who will benefit?
- When do projects get underway?
- When will the programme of works be completed?
- How is the programme impacted by COVID-19?
- As part of West Yorkshire’s devolution deal, £317 million was secured to deliver the Leeds City Region TCF programme but it will cost more than this to deliver the schemes outlined in the bid. What does this mean?
- How does TCF complement other transport infrastructure schemes being delivered across the region?
- Where can I find out more information?
- How can I have my say on schemes in my area?
- How was the bid developed?
- Who was the bid developed with?
- How were decisions made around which schemes to include in the bid?