Proposals for new M62 junction and Brighouse bypass

'˜Intervention of a significant scale' on the transport network in Brighouse will be needed to meet the demand of more than 3,000 homes in Brighouse and Rastrick.
Traffic queues after RTA on M62 near Brighouse.Traffic queues after RTA on M62 near Brighouse.
Traffic queues after RTA on M62 near Brighouse.

It is anticipated that funding for the improvements will come from both the private and public sector.

The West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund programme includes three potential transport investment projects that would, if delivered, support the delivery of the two residential sites.

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The first potential project is for the A641 Bradford/Brighouse-Huddersfield corridor.

In June 2016, Calderdale Council successfully secured approval to initiate a ‘pre-feasibility’ study and identify the range, type and location of interventions required.

This work will take account of the latest Local Plan growth assumptions in the Brighouse area, including the two sites and the Clifton Business Park Enterprise Zone. The objectives of the scheme include for the improvement of traffic flows between Bradford and Huddersfield; the reduction of congestion on A641; facilitating economic development in Brighouse town centre; unlocking land for development in Brighouse and Cooper Bridge (within Kirklees); increasing the availability and use of sustainable transport modes in Brighouse; and the safeguarding and enhancement of the natural and built environment in Brighouse

The second scheme is the A644 improvement scheme which is led by Kirklees Council.

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The scheme involves delivery of a new link road from Bradley Road to the A644.

This will serve as the main access into the significant housing allocation proposed at Bradley Golf Course within Kirklees, before crossing the railway and the River Calder to join the A644 midway between M62 Junction 25 and the A62/A644 junction at Cooper Bridge, also within Kirklees.

Work to date has identified a preferred route for the Bradley Link Road based on engineering constraints.

Further work is ongoing to verify this option from the perspective of other disciplines.

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Parallel work to masterplan the Cooper Bridge employment site will reflect the proposals for the A62/A644 junction and Bradley Link Road, once established. Both the A641 scheme in Calderdale and the A644 scheme in Kirklees form part of a wider WY+TF scheme for the A62 corridor.

Thirdly, a potential M62 Junction 24a comprises a separate project within the WY+TF programme intended to improve accessibility and reduce journey times for traffic wishing to access Brighouse, Huddersfield and surrounding areas. The report states that if the junction is located on the A641 corridor, it could potentially assist Calderdale and Kirklees in realising their respective growth ambitions by relieving pressure on existing junctions with the motorway network.

“Since the merits of the scheme have not yet been examined in any detail, no commitment to the delivery of M62 Junction 24A has yet been established. Clearly, delivery of a new motorway junction would affect the distribution of traffic across the local road network, and would potentially influence the scope and location of measures that are required as part of the A641 scheme.”