Is Backledge to be widened/pedestrianized?

On 26^th April 2017 the Halifax Courier reported how

“Calderdale Council has appointed the Leeds office of global professional services and engineering consultancy WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff to take forward plans to deliver the ‘Halifax Station Gateway’”. [1] According to the Courier, this will entail…

“A feasibility design and business case appraisal for the remodelling and regeneration of the station and surrounding public area will be carried out.”

“the study also will identify upgrades to road and pedestrian routes from the station through to the town centre.”

So just roads and pedestrian routes will be upgraded?

Although this latest study isn’t expected to be completed until later this year, clues can be found within the Halifax Station Gateway Masterplan drawn up by Bauman Lyons, Arcadis, ARUP & Cushman Wakefield, dated March 2016. [2] Also within a report presented to a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on the 4^th July 2016. [3] As the outline plans within the masterplan show how the existing overbridge is to be removed and new access created to Church St/Square Road by means of steps, located just north of the existing station overbridge. The plans within the report to Cabinet outline how Church St is to be realigned in order to allow Square Road to be pedestrianized, as part of plans to divert traffic around the Halifax Minster and to create another public square, leading into the Piece hall.

Currently these plans would mean that the most obvious route to the town centre (currently via Horton St) would be lost, as once those walking to the town centre on foot arrive at Church St/Square Rd level, the nearest pedestrian crossing will directly face the outdoor seating/smoking area of the Imperial Crown Hotel. This would render the quickest way to the town centre either up via Backledge, a route that currently is narrower and less attractive that the alternative, that being the current route the majority of pedestrians choose to follow when arriving at the railway station, Horton St.

Church St Junction — Report to Cabinet 4th July 2016 PDF Page 15

This does bring into question the statement made by the deputy leader of the labour party and cabinet member with responsibility for ‘Regeneration and Economic Development’, Councillor Barry Collins within the Halifax Courier on the 26^th April 2017 who stated numerous things including “As visitors catch their first glimpse of the town as they leave the station they won’t fail to be impressed.”. Fail to be impressed by a grade 2 listed building that could have become the entrance to Halifax Railway Station, impressed by the small number of steps they will have to climb or impressed by the great view of the outdoor seating/smoking area of the Imperial Crown Hotel?

Imperial Crown 1.png — The Imperial Crown Hotel & Restaurant outdoor seating/smoking area

Unless of course the Imperial Crown Hotel is to be partly demolished in order to widen Backledge? This would seem the most logical solution to provide an attractive walking route to the town centre in the event the latest masterplan is carried out. This may also explain why also within the report to Cabinet on the 4^th July 2016, why the site in between Backledge and Horton St is “required to accommodate highway remodelling”. A site that was previously acquired by Square Chapel to facilitate their own multi-million extension, which was later to become car parking according to David McQuillan, speaking at a meeting of the Halifax Town Team.

Although this is something that may be unnecessary as ‘Foreconsulting’ were commissioned by Calderdale Council to “To develop proposals to enhance the link between the railway station and key attractions, as well as improving public transport accessibility in the town centre” [4]. According to published information this was when the 1855 station building was to be used as the main station entrance, something that would have seen the creation of what has been described as a “vital pedestrian link to the Piece Hall” within a report to Cabinet on the 8^th April 2013.

However I do as many others no-doubt will, support redevelopment around this area. As it is currently an appalling gateway into our town but also because the widening of Backledge could make an ideal location for coaches to pickup and drop off those visting the Piece hall and Square Chapel. If Horton Street was used, this would cause unnecessary congestion as Horton St is to become part of this bus loop aimed at directing traffic around Halifax Town Centre. Although I do object to the demolition of the Imperial Crown Hotel that was earlier this year up for sale along with the Imperial Crown Lodge/ Hughes House that the Council also has plans to demolish. As we should be building upon the character of our town NOT destroying it! I would however welcome the demolition of the buildings immediately behind and to the side of this Hotel as in my opinion this would be an improvement.

I therefore suggest that the Council takes another look at the options for this end of town, possible even reconsider the previous plans for Halifax Station that include this ‘vital pedestrian link’ as it has the potential to direct pedestrians up through into the Piece Hall instead of around it! Integrating the Piece Hall as an important link between between the railway station and the wider town centre.