Second round of road closures for sewer work

Halifax Road (A646) was previously closed for seven weeks because of sewer maintenance work

A road that was closed for seven weeks is to close again after Yorkshire Water announced more sewer maintenance work was needed.

Halifax Road (A646) in West Yorkshire was closed on December 16 last year after a damaged sewer pipe led to emergency repairs between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.

It reopened on January 23, but the water company said it would close again on 14 February for repair work taking place 213ft (65m) up from the initial damage.

James Harrison, Yorkshire Water's head of customer field services, said the company wanted to make sure the sewer was as "resilient as possible to reduce the likelihood of this happening again in future".

He said: "We absolutely understand the impact this will have following the closure of the same road in recent months.

"We will be working hard throughout the work to support local residents and businesses, which includes arranging a shuttle bus for the duration of the work."

The repair works involve reinforcing the section of sewer with a structural liner.

Yorkshire Water said contractors would be working 24 hours a day from the evening of 14 to 17 February and the road would be closed throughout this time.

Sarah Courtney, Calderdale Council cabinet member for regeneration and transport, reassured residents the road would reopen as soon as possible.

She said: "We know this isn't the news anyone in the upper valley of Calderdale wanted to hear and I completely understand there will be concern about what this additional closure means for people living, working and travelling in the area."

A signed diversion route will be in place to manage traffic.

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