£30m railway station improvement programme ‘on right track’

Plans are being drawn up to improve Halifax Rail Station and the surrounding area.

Calderdale Council, working with Network Rail, is developing plans to transform the station building and improve access and its facilities.

The £30m plus project, which is being funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, includes proposals for a new two-storey station building, with comfortable waiting lounges on both the ground and first floor level, better toilet facilities and opportunities for additional retail space.

Access to the station will also be improved with a modern pedestrian bridge providing step-free access to and from the town centre.

An historic underpass beneath the station would be reopened to improve access to the eastern side of the railway station.

Further proposals include convenient drop-off facilities, car parking with electric vehicle charging points and taxi pick-up areas and improved walking and cycling facilities, including upgraded bike storage.

To help develop detailed proposals for the project, a public consultation took place from November 2021 to January 2022.

480 responses were received, with over 77% stating that they were either happy or very happy with the proposed improvements. Over 66% of respondents also said that the improvements would encourage them to use the railway station more often.

Feedback is being used to refine designs for the project ahead of a planning application being submitted later this year.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and strategy, Councillor Jane Scullion, said: “As the gateway to the town, it’s important Halifax Rail Station is a welcoming, accessible and fit-for-purpose facility.

“The proposals to improve the station and surrounding area will make a real difference and complement extensive investment around Halifax town centre.

“The positive feedback on the latest proposals from the recent consultation exercise has helped reassure us the plans are on the right track.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “I want to grow our economy, connect more people with opportunities and tackle the climate emergency on our way to becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.

“We need a reliable and efficient transport system to do this and transforming Halifax Rail Station is a great example of how we are working to make West Yorkshire an even better place to live, work and flourish.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee and leader of Bradford Council, added: “We are pleased to be working with Calderdale Council on this scheme.

“It’s going to make it easier for people to move around our region and I would like to thank everyone who made the most of this opportunity to help shape the plans by taking part in the public consultation.”

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