£2 million boost for new relief road

The new road will link the existing road at Hollas Lane to Fall Lane/Holmes Road, near the town centre.

The £4.7m project is part of the council’s wider scheme for Sowerby Bridge and the Copley Valley, which includes new homes and employment units, essential flood remediation works, a new flood storage area and a nature reserve.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for economy and environment, Councillor Barry Collins, said: “This development is a key priority for the council, and one which we have wanted to deliver for a long time. The relief road will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, allowing local businesses to thrive and encourage new ones to the area. It should also bring wider economic benefits by unlocking land for employment and additional, much needed housing.”

The project could also help traffic and access problems at Mearclough Bridge, over the River Calder, which is heavily used by goods vehicles and often subject to queuing at the nearby waste transfer station.

The £2.2m grant has been awarded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of its Yorkshire and Humber Operational Programme 2007-2013. The council will fund the remaining £2.5m for the scheme. On Monday Calderdale Council’s cabinet will be asked to recommend to full council that it approve a funding agreement with The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to secure the grant funding for the scheme.