Work begins on £19m town centre improvement scheme
Brighouse DealWork to redevelop Brighouse town centre as part of a £19.1m project has begun.
The scheme includes the pedestrianisation of a number of roads as well as the introduction of street planting and new seating in a move Calderdale Council hopes will create "a more welcoming, attractive and healthy town centre".
The work is being carried out by Esh Construction on behalf of the council and the Brighouse Town Deal Board.
Funding for the project, which is expected to take 18 months to complete, has come from the government's Town Fund, which has invested £2.6bn across the UK.
The project will mean changes to traffic flow and the suspension of some on street parking spaces in addition to road closures over the next 18 months.
What are the improvements?
According to the Brighouse Town Deal Board, the aim of the project is to create "a more attractive, safer and cleaner town centre so those who shop, visit and enjoy spend longer, spend more and return often".
The board said the project had been subject to extensive consultation, discussions and research.
It said it was about focusing on "people rather than vehicles" and would involve pedestrianising the central sections of Commercial Street and Bethel Street, between Market Street and Park Street.
The town's new £3m market, which was completed last year, was also funded through the deal.
Brighouse DealWhen is the work being carried out?
The project will be carried out in three phases across the next 18 months.
Phase One focuses on the western area of the town and is expected to run until the summer.
Phase Two affects the eastern area of the town and will run from the summer until the winter.
Phase Three runs from the winter until spring 2027 and will be focused on the southern area of the town.
Each section will involve road closures and on street parking restrictions.
Brighouse DealWhich roads are closed?
During the current phase of work the following streets will be closed to traffic:
- Commercial Street between Gooder Street and Park Street
- Market Street
- West Park Street
- Bethel Street from Park Street to Thornton Square
- Briggate from Thornton Square to the Aldi exit
- Canal Street from Bethel Street to Ship Street.
Diversion routes for motorists are in place and will be clearly marked.
A map detailing the closures and the diversion routes can be found here.
Brighouse BIDWhat about shops and businesses?
Throughout the work pedestrian access will be maintained and Esh Construction will work with business and shop owners in the area to ensure deliveries can take place.
Meanwhile, Brighouse BID, which represents all the town centre's businesses, has launched a campaign urging people to continue to visit the town centre and support shops and businesses,
Helen Holdsworth, Brighouse BID project manager, said the works would cause disruption but people should not be put off.
"We are determined to do all we can to support our shops, venues and businesses over the next 18 months and encourage people to continue to visit, shop and enjoy our town," she said.
"Our message to residents and visitors from across Calderdale and beyond is that we are open for business."
She said the town may look a "bit different for a while" but it will still be the same Brighouse people "know and love".
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