People are being asked for their views on plans to better connect Huddersfield Rail Station with the town centre.
The £16 million scheme will make it easier for people to travel between the rail station and the places where they live, learn, work or visit.
It is being delivered in partnership by Kirklees Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Councillor Eric Firth Portfolio Holder for Transport said:
“It is our ambition to prepare Huddersfield Rail Station for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, but also a significant step forward in the project to transform Huddersfield’s historic railway station.
“These improvements could increase connectivity for the town centre community, providing faster, more efficient sustainable transport links from the station to the rest of the town centre.
“The station gateway improvement will not only provide a much-needed modernisation of the station and surrounding area, creating a fitting gateway to our beautiful town, but it is also an integral part of the wider Huddersfield Blueprint ambition.
“The scheme will better welcome visitors making improvements to key ring road junctions and streets near St George’s Square, making onward travel much easier, and create a more pleasant environment for everyone using the station.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“We want to make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport across Huddersfield.
“This is vital to connect more people with jobs and tackle the climate emergency.
“This is part of a £75 million-plus investment in transport improvements across Kirklees and is a great example of how together we are making it an even better place to work and live.”
The first phase of public consultation took place in November 2021, and the feedback from this has been used to progress the plans further, including modernising the arrival to the station square. The revised series of proposed improvements are broken down into four distinct areas.
People are being asked for further views on the following areas:
Area 1a Northumberland Street
Area 1b John William Street (north of St George’s Square)
Area 2 St John’s Road and Oxford Street
Area 3a Trinity Street – On-street improvements
Those which had public support in the first round and are progressing:
Area 3b Trinity St Underpass
Area 4 Brunswick St Footpath
Area 5 Huddersfield Rail Station Entrance Hall Improvements
The proposals seek to increase safety and enable more people to walk and cycle, while also improving bus and rail station connections.
This will create a ‘people-focused’ town with better public spaces,
The project will help the council realise its Huddersfield Blueprint vision of a thriving, well connected town centre.
Sustainable modes of travel are not only key to addressing the climate emergency but instrumental in improving people’s health and wellbeing.
At the heart of the gateway is Huddersfield Rail Station, the second busiest in West Yorkshire.
Network Rail’s Transpennine Route Upgrade will improve the railway that runs through Huddersfield to Leeds, Manchester and beyond, to help support economic growth.
The aim of this scheme is to prepare the town centre for the rail upgrade. £9 billion of government funding will transform rail across 70 miles and will include 23 stations.
The scheme is being paid for with money from the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, as well as £3 million from Kirklees Council.
Kirklees secured a total of more than £75 million from the Transforming Cities Fund, which will be used to deliver an ambitious programme of transport improvements across the district.
“Huddersfield Unlimited are pleased to see a focus on improving journeys to and from the railway station. Better walking and cycling connections will benefit everyone who lives, learns, shops and does business in Huddersfield.”
-Leah Stuart, Chair of Huddersfield Unlimited’s Transport Group, Director at Civic Engineers
The consultation will run until Friday 23 December.
Join us at a face-to-face event:
Yorkshire Children’s Centre, Brian Jackson House – HD1 5JP
Thursday 24 November, 9.00am-12.00 Noon
Media Centre, HD1 1RL
Monday 28 November,
1.00pm-4.00pm
St George’s Square, HD1 1JB
Wednesday 30 November, 5.00pm-8.00pm
Online Webinars Visit the Your Voice webpage to find out more and register
Tuesday 29 November: 12.00pm – 1.00pm
Online webinar, register on Your Voice webpage
Thursday 1 December: 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Online webinar, register on Your Voice webpage.
www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/hudds-access2.