July start for £10.3m Holmfirth improvements

Work will begin next week on the Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan, as Kirklees Council looks to create a more accessible town centre for businesses, residents and visitors.

Initial work will start at the Huddersfield Road car park, where the existing market hall and footbridge will be replaced with a community events space.

Along with the events space, the project will include electric vehicle points, car parking facilities, widened footbridge and footways, new kerbing, and improved drainage.

Pavements will be resurfaced as part of a safety drive, while the pedestrian crossing on Victoria Street will also be signalised, along with improved street lighting, traffic signals and signage.

David Shepherd, strategic director for growth and regeneration at Kirklees Council, said:

“Holmfirth is a beautiful town, and a fantastic place to live, visit and spend time. The Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan will give longevity to the area, modernising Holmfirth’s unique offering, whilst embracing and celebrating the town’s world-famous heritage.

“Once complete, the town centre will be a much more accessible and enjoyable for all, whilst we continue to help local businesses thrive and boost the local economy, whilst improving congestion, journey times and encourage active travel.

“This is scheme is a collaborative effort by the community, council and the Combined Authority to create a brighter future for Holmfirth.”

The Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan is a partnership project between the council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, falling under the broad remit5 of increasing public transport use and active travel as part of the drive to decarbonisation.