Road improvements to be scaled back due to cost

The works are set to be complated by September next year

A multimillion-pound scheme to improve traffic on a main route between Bradford and Dewsbury is to be scaled back because of spiralling costs, according to a report.

The A638 Dewsbury-Cleckheaton Sustainable Travel Corridor project was drawn up to improve traffic in the area, including through Heckmondwike and Cleckheaton.

The scheme - which includes creating new bus lanes, crossings and cycle lanes - was budgeted at £15.8m but is now set to cost much more, according to West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

A report due to go before the authority on Thursday said work on the third phase of the scheme should be scrapped to save £4.6m.

Detailing the changes to the project, members will be told that phase one, improvements to the Spen Valley Greenway walking and cycling route, will remain, as will phase two.

Protestors are against the creation of a bus lane in Oakenshaw

This includes a controversial proposal to create 0.7km of new bus lane on the southbound approach of M62 Chain Bar Roundabout, 1.5km of cycle lane between Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike town centres and new signal crossings at junctions at Market Street, Heckmondwike.

However, works that make up phase three, including refuge island upgrades immediately south of Chain Bar roundabout on Bradford Road, public space improvements in Cleckheaton town centre, pedestrian crossings and various parking restrictions along the route, will be dropped.

The scheme is being funded by the government's Transforming Cities Fund, with WYCA and Kirklees Council delivering the project.

Explaining why the scheme is needed, the report said: "High traffic volumes are experienced on this corridor.

"This is due to increased reliance on car travel and lack of viable travel alternatives.

"The high frequency 268 bus service serves the full route from Oakenshaw to Dewsbury on the A638 but there are only two small sections of bus lanes and limited bus priority along the route.

"This is currently having an impact on the reliability of this key core service."

WYCA said the scheme should lead to a 10% increase in bus patronage along the A638 through Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike, a 100% increase in cycle trips on the A638, a 40% increase in cycle trips on the Spen Valley Greenway and a 15% increase in walking trips on the Greenway.

The work is expected to be completed by September 2026.

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