Why not convert Wheatley Viaduct into a walking/cycle path ?

In November last year it was reported by the Halifax Courier and the BBC that the disused railway viaduct in Wheatley, Halifax that used to connect Halifax St Pauls to Holmfield via Pellon, is to undergo a £1.2 million refurbishment by National Highways' Historical Railways Estate (HRE). [1 & 2] This work which is currently...

Why not build this new loop at Sowerby Bridge ?

A new loop is to be constructed between Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd on the Calder Valley line, this is in order to allow non stopping Transpennine services to overtake Calder Valley stopping services when Transpennine services are diverted via the Calder Valley in order to facilitate the Transpennine route upgrade that will see sections of...

Does Calderdale Labour really care about flooding ?

Over the past decade Calderdale has been hit with numerous torrential floods, in 2019 Calderdale Council under a Labour administration declared a ‘climate emergency’ [1] According to the council ‘Failure to act will see’ many things including “Extreme changes to our weather and events such as flooding and heatwaves.”, naturally you would therefore think that...

Where is the most bashed bridge in Calderdale ?

In November of 2020 Network Rail unveiled their most bashed rail bridge for the 2019/20 financial year to be Watling Street bridge on the A5 in Hinckley with the second being Bromford Road bridge in Dudley! [1] Bridge bashing, is dangerous and has significant implications for the rail network, it has been estimated that 24...

Is the Enviroment Agency missing a golden opportunity to reduce flood risk ?

The village of Mytholmroyd has seen over £41 million spent by the Environment agency on a flood alleviation scheme, that has included raising and rebuilding walls, demolishing various buildings that posed a risk and even widening the river channel. [1] Up river the village of Hebden Bridge is to follow suit with its own dedicated...

Could Hebden Bridge have its first ‘Changing Places’ facility ?

Hebden Bridge in the Calder Valley attracts thousands of tourists each and every year, prior to the pandemic it was the second busiest station within Calderdale with 812,902 rail users, which is quite considerable considering the town has a population of less than 5,000! [ 1 &2 ] It is also the only other station...

Where is the ambition for North Halifax ?

On the 14th June Calderdale Council began consulting the public on the project entitled ‘A629N Orange Street Roundabout to Odgen, Calderdale’ a project aimed at making it easier and safer to travel on foot or by bike between Lee Mount, Illingworth to Halifax Town Centre. As part of this project it is proposed to create...

Could Brighouse be the station of the future ?

On the 11th May Network Rail along with The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the winner of the railway station design competition to shape Britain’s future railways to be Edinburgh-based, 7N Architects. [1] ‘The contest sought architects, engineers and designers from across the world to reimagine how small to medium-sized stations can improve...

Why not follow the old line ?

Plans are afoot to “make it easier and safer for travel on foot or by bike, particularly between Lee Mount and Illingworth to Halifax town centre” under the banner of the ‘A629N Orange Street Roundabout to Odgen, Calderdale’ project, the consultation for which runs 18th July. [1] As part of this project a new cycle...

Can Calderdale afford a new pool ?

With the news that Halifax Swimming Pool will remain permanently closed, can Calderdale afford a replacement ? [1] A CGI of the proposed new pool! Just prior the pandemic the latest plans to construct a replacement swimming pool for Halifax over the outdoor football courts at the North Bridge Leisure Centre were unveiled on Thursday...