Road remains shut four months after gas explosion

Spring Hall Lane has been closed since an explosion on a neighbouring street in June

A major road serving one of Halifax's main supermarkets will remain closed for the foreseeable future after a gas explosion this year.

Spring Hall Lane, which serves the town's Asda supermarket, has been shut since 26 June following an explosion at a house in neighbouring Coventry Street.

In a letter to Calderdale Council former Conservative councillor Andrew Tagg said it was "unacceptable" the road had not yet been reopened.

But the Labour-run local authority said the continued closure between Hanson Lane and Spring Hall Grove was necessary for "safety reasons".

Three people were injured and 14 homes were evacuated following the explosion at a terraced property in Coventry Street.

In his letter, Mr Tagg, who represented the Skircoat ward between 2014 and 2018, said: "Now I understand the reason for closure for at least two to three weeks to make the house safe, but to have the road closed for four months is totally unacceptable.

"This road is an important route through west central Halifax and to Asda, the main supermarket in the area."

Mr Tagg also suggested the council's attitude to the public over the issue was "bordering on contempt" saying there was "no good reason" the road could not be reopened, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In response, councillor Sarah Courtney, cabinet member for transport, said: "In addition to destroying the affected property, the damage to neighbouring properties was significant.

"The road closure is necessary for safety reasons, because of the risk from loose roofing materials."

Courtney added: "We continue to do all we can to ensure the area is safe, whilst investigating cost effective ways to address the problem in the long term, in partnership with the owners of the properties."

West Yorkshire Police said an investigation into the blast was still ongoing.

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