Parking Removal Plans Deferred in Hebden Bridge Following Business Objections

Proposals to eliminate parking spaces along a section of road connecting the tourist destination of Hebden Bridge and its adjacent town, Mytholmroyd, have been suspended. These parking removals were initially suggested for Fallingroyd to facilitate a new cycle path, forming part of Calderdale Council’s £5m A646/A6033 initiative aimed at promoting “active travel”. Nevertheless, following expressions of concern from local enterprises regarding potential adverse effects on commerce, the council stated it would “briefly pause” this specific component of the project until the outcomes of a broader strategy examining parking alternatives in the vicinity become available. The council affirmed its dedication, stating it was “committed to helping people get to the town as safely, easily, actively and sustainably as possible”. In the previous month, proprietors of local businesses reported that over 1,000 individuals had endorsed a petition expressing apprehension about the proposals to reduce parking availability. Merchants indicated their concern that they would face significant negative consequences, as the planned work coincided with the decommissioning of a car park for flood alleviation efforts. The authority confirmed that the results of its Parking Area Plan for Hebden Bridge are anticipated to be released later this year, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It also specified that other elements of the scheme are still slated for implementation, such as enhancing the pedestrian crossing at Station Road and lowering the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on the stretch between Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge. Councillor Sarah Courtney, the council’s cabinet member responsible for regeneration and transport, stated that the authority had been engaged in preparatory work on various alternatives for the A646/A6033 project in Hebden Bridge for an extended period. She further commented: “The narrowness of our valley makes this a complex task, and there are lots of different factors and feedback to take into account.” She concluded by saying: “That’s why we’ve decided to pause the proposed Fallingroyd scheme for the moment, and we’ll be continuing to look into options.” The article concluded with an invitation to access highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, view the latest episode of Look North, or propose a story for coverage. It also carried a copyright notice for 2024 BBC, affirming all rights reserved, and a statement that the BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites, alongside information about its policy on external linking.