Sowerby Bridge Masterplan

Elements of the Sowerby Bridge Masterplan are now being delivered as part of the A58/A672 Corridor Improvement Programme (CIP), including the proposed works at West Street. The A58/A762 CIP has now received its final business case approvals and is into delivery. Calderdale Council carried out the first stage of informal consultation for the Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) required to deliver the scheme in Sowerby Bridge between 24^th February to 10^th March 2022. A further Statutory Consultation will still need to be carried out to implement the TROs as part of the works. The Statutory Consultation will be advertised by Calderdale Council in due course and the construction works themselves will also be advertised onsite and online prior to any works commencing once the precise programme is confirmed.

Thank you for your comment. The project team will continue to review scheme proposals in light of the comments received and endeavour to address any concerns raised at detailed design. Any comments that fall outside the scope of this project will be relayed to the relevant department within Calderdale Council.

Please accept our apologies both for the delay in responding to your query and for any difficulties you experienced with responding to the survey.

Although our survey software does allow images to appear alongside the questions, we are limited in terms of size and zooming ability. As some of the plans were quite detailed, we were concerned that uploading the images by this method would involve losing clarity and therefore we chose to host the plans on the main page of the website. Having said this, I do understand your concerns and I will ensure that this is considered for future projects.  

Thanks for your feedback. We agree that a central green space in Sowerby Bridge would have great benefits for the town however due to the volume of land and assets currently in the centre there isn’t a large space for us to do this. We have tried to propose green space where possible and will continue to include as much as possible throughout the detailed design phases of the masterplan proposals.

This is part of the Corridor Improvement Programme (CIP) which we are looking at in more detail over the next year. The public engagement period for the CIP ended on the 28^th September, however the plans are still available to view online https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/ccip. 

There will be further public engagement on the CIP proposals when we have taken the schemes to detailed design stage. 

Thank you for your comments. As we go through the detailed design phases we will take all comments and suggestions on board where possible.

No, unfortunately the Ryburn Valley Greenway is not part of the SB Masterplan but it is an aspiration of the Council to develop a Greenway along this corridor. We are currently developing a feasibility study for the Ryburn Valley Greenway.

We appreciate that the building which houses that row of shops is not very attractive. However, this building is in private ownership. To negotiate the land, purchase and demolish the building, and make good would be expensive. Whilst we may get a contribution from a large supermarket it is unlikely that they would fund this substantially. Also, there are businesses there and we have a duty to protect peoples livelihood. We would then be creating a very open space and a view of a car park. Interesting idea though and perhaps one for the longer term.

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, this is a little more complicated than it may sound. The statue is located in Luddendenfoot which is not in the scope of Sowerby Bridge developments. Additionally, we are unable to fund public art from the Corridor Improvement Programme or through the CityConnect2 programme which is upgrading the greenway.  

Any public arts commission that would take into consideration this statue would be considered when developing the Calder Valley Greenway.

Are you aware if the statue is damaged or if it could be put back into place...? Thanks for your help.

A parking study has been conducted in Sowerby Bridge which has shown that the lowest number of empty spaces at any one time is fewer than the 76 spaces. The headline total at this conceptual stage for the Sowerby Bridge Masterplan proposals is 67 spaces lost overall in central Sowerby Bridge. One of the key drivers for the masterplan is a commitment to improving air quality in the town, which includes discouraging car use and encouraging more sustainable modes of transport. The parking study shows that there appears to be many short, walk-able journeys being made by car at present. There is also an intention to provide additional cycle parking in various places as well as an ‘Uber bus’. Removal of parking in some cases allows for tree planting, which will improve air quality, visual amenity, biodiversity and storm water capture. Overall the aim is to reduce the impacts of cars upon the town, whether passing through or parked. It has been demonstrated previously that improving the environment of a town has increased the footfall to that town and therefore increased footfall to local businesses. This is the desire for Sowerby Bridge.