Agenda item

To provide an update on development and delivery of the Council’s major capital transport infrastructure projects and invite comment/questions from the Scrutiny panel.

Contact:  Ilyas Ramjan, Interim Head of Major Projects and Paul Davis Strategic Partnership Lead, PMO.  Tel: 01484 221000

Cllr Moses Crook, introduced the agenda item, advising the Panel that the information being presented is an update on the various schemes within the transport capital programme, which are at various stages of development or delivery with some schemes paused at various stages awaiting funding opportunities. These capital schemes are often complex to design, and can be several years in development, however, it is essential that there is this pipeline of work underway in order to benefit from all funding opportunities as they arise.

The Panel was informed that the complexity of the programme increased significantly due to the impact of Covid, and the substantial rise in national construction costs. As a result, the programme was reprofiled to maximise delivery of the highest number of schemes without compromising quality or resorting to value engineering.

There remains a strong focus on active travel and modal shift, prioritising health, environmentally sustainable transport, inclusivity, and improvements to the public realm. Current projects in development reflect the priorities first set out in the Active Travel Interim Position Statement and now embedded within the recently adopted Kirklees Transport Strategy. Further opportunities to adjust paused or pipeline schemes in line with these evolving priorities may also deliver additional benefits in these areas.

David Wildman, Service Director for Skills and Regeneration, advised the Panel that the intention is to present an annual report through the democratic process. The report will review achievements, progress made, the current position, and outline future direction.

The Panel was reminded that a similar report has been presented over the past two years, outlining transport infrastructure projects funded primarily through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). While not covering the entire highways capital programme, the report details the projects, their current status, and progress. Some schemes have been completed and are now in evaluation, others are on site, and several are well developed and nearing commencement. The programme includes a range of complex schemes at varying stages of delivery.

The Panel was informed that pipelined projects remain a priority and there is an ambition to deliver them, however, at present, there is no funding associated for their delivery. When funding becomes available, the intention is to align these pipelined schemes and emerging priorities with the resources secured.

In response to the report and the information presented, panel members, Cllr Martyn Bolt, Mr Chas Ball, Mr Jeff Keenlyside and Cllr Imran Safdar asked a number of questions and made comments including some of the following:

Cllr Martyn Bolt outlined a few matters he wanted to highlight in the appended report.  He stated that there appeared to be a lack of strategic overview for developing projects particularly with regards to the delivery of active travel.  There has been a general awareness for approximately four years of the development of the Transpennine route upgrade rail programme and the implications that would have for active travel, including the closure of a bridge over a live railway line at Deighton called Collier Bridge. An alternative was identified which would have used the Huddersfield Broad Canal. This is only now being considered, after the bridge has closed and will not be completed until the railway bridge for the greenway is opened. Why was no strategic thought given to linking the canal resurfacing works with maintaining the active travel corridor?  Cllr Bolt highlighted further concerns with a number of other schemes referenced in the report.

Mr Chas Ball - Huddersfield: active travel networks.Why has the A629 Halifax Road Phase 4 which linked communities, schools, colleges, health facilities, shops and PROW pathways to town centre now been shelved? Given 100,000 people live within 3km of Huddersfield centre why are cycling and walking routes linking key locations in Lindley, Edgerton, Birkby etc into the town centre not being offered improved active travel plans? The proposed route from Huddersfield railway station using reallocated road space on the A629 Wakefield Road to the Penistone Road is showing as pipelined. Since the OBC was prepared involving detailed planning and consultations, there are indications.

Leeds Road Smart Corridor: What is the state of Leeds Road Smart corridor ‘monitoring and evaluation’ referred to in the annual report? Cycle Kirklees analysed the design and implementation of the dedicated cycle paths in 2024 on a group site visit with a member of the project team and we suggested in writing some changes (to make it LTN 1/20 compliant). We also argued that some design elements should not be repeated. We were disturbed that the same consultants that advised on it and designed it, evaluated the scheme.

Mr Jeff Keenlyside When will we see a start to network planning for cycling and walking in and across Huddersfield town centre and for ensuring cycle routes to link the Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath ‘greenway’, the nearly complete Huddersfield Broad Canal towpath ‘greenway’ and the Birkby Bradley Greenway to key town centre destinations? What plans are there to make travel to Accu Stadium on foot by bike or by wheelchair are signed, safer to use and accessible?

Lockwood Bar Southern Gateway project: why was there was no dialogue between the Lockwood Southern Gateway project team and Cycle Kirklees or other cycling groups between public consultation and TRO stage? At the TRO we questioned aspects of the design and were informed that it met all the requirements of the Active Travel England Route Check Tool. In our recent review of the Lockwood designs, it failed the very first principle of the route check tool as well as having other Policy Conflicts and a Critical Issue. Club cyclists previously used Albert Street as a quiet alternative to Lockwood Road but access to this route when arriving from Woodhead Road has been removed since the last consultation.

Dewsbury Batley Chidswellscheme ends at Batley railway station. Access from the town centre improvements to Batley railway station for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchairs is not part of DBC or the Batley Blueprint. Are there plans to make Batley a more accessible station by 2029 when the first part of the TRU improvements from Leeds to Huddersfield are forecast to start? 

Cllr Safdar, raised concerns in respect of the Lockwood Southern Gateway Project, suggesting that teams be sent to improve the synchronisation of the traffic lights because on some days, what should be a 10-minute journey can become a journey that takes over an hour.  He explained that there are anxieties and concerns being raised by parents, carers and drivers whose service users with disabilities are being delayed in these vehicles on that corridor. Could the project be expedited to reduce the delays?

-       While good progress has been made, it is noted that at least 50% of the projects are still to be determined and some of those are down to costs. Referring to the projects listed in the table, the cost are forecasts are they coming in on budget as forecast and how does the funding process work and when is the next tranche of funding expected?

-       There is work that needs to be undertaken in terms of making sure residents are continuously updated about what work is going on.

In response to the questions and issues raised, the Cabinet Member and officers advised that, regarding specific schemes, members should make direct contact.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member and officers be thanked for providing an update on Kirklees Major Transport Capital Scheme; Annual Report 2025.