MP still dreaming of cable car plan for Huddersfield visitors

The ambitious proposal to connect Southgate, close to Huddersfield’s train station to the town’s landmark leisure complex proposal HD One, was first discussed more than five years ago.

However, Labour MP Barry Sheerman is still convinced it should go ahead despite developers Kirklees Stadium Development Limited saying it no longer features in their plans.

The ground-breaking proposal to transport shoppers on 16-seat gondolas to John Smith’s Stadium - next to the intended HD One site - was still being discussed up until 2013.

It would have connected people to a range of restaurants, a New Raddison Park Inn hotel, shops and indoor and outdoor sports facilities and a ski-slope.

Mr Sheerman said: “My personal ambition is to make sure the cable car is in the plans. It would be iconic. Nobody else has got a cable car. It would be fabulous to show what we can do in Huddersfield that is different to the rest of the country. It could take thousands of people from the station and zip them along to the leisure complex. Visitors to the train station could be whisked straight on up there.”

The Labour politician hopes the cable car could be built in Britain although the Swiss and Australians also have expertise in building that type of infrastructure.

He said: “We are still fighting to keep the cable car in the plan.”

Kirklees Council received an application for part of the development in June, and it does not include a cable car.