Key details
We’re improving the flow of traffic and making it easier to walk, cycle or take public transport on the A629 south of Halifax. Work includes highway widening, a new link road between the A629 and Stainland Road, a new bridge, new roundabout and new traffic signals at the junction with Jubilee Road.
Construction started late 2021.
Current status
Plans
Construction started in 2021 and includes:
- A new bridge and link road between the A629 and Stainland Road, spanning the Calder and Hebble Navigation.
- Widening of the A629 to two continuous lanes in each direction from Elland Wood Bottom to the completed work at Salterhebble Hill.
- Introduction of traffic signal control at the junction of the A629 and Jubilee Road.
- Conversion of the existing mini roundabout on Stainland Road to traffic signal control.
- A new landscaped area and surface water storage ponds next to Stainland Road
- New access points to the canal towpath.
Benefits
Economy and employment
We want to improve access to Copley, Sowerby Bridge and Halifax, making sites on the route more attractive for business investment. The improvement in transport accessibility and better journey times will attract more people to the area.
Journey times
Once the project is complete, we will reduce vehicle journey times from Huddersfield to Halifax by up to 30%. Travel choices will be improved with the addition of options for quicker, more reliable bus journeys.
Tackling ‘rat running’
The new and more efficient layout along the A629 will reduce ‘rat running’ through communities such as Elland, West Vale, Siddal, Exley, Copley and Skircoat.
Sustainability
People taking the bus will benefit from quicker and more reliable local bus journeys. Active travel infrastructure will improve the experience for people cycling and walking through the area.
Progress
10 July 2024
These photos were captured at the end of June. Work on the project is edging closer to completion. The new layout is visible, and vehicles can use the new routes. The roundabout is open while work continues on the bus lane, visible behind the roundabout. Once this section is complete buses will be able to take a more direct route and avoid the roundabout. Bus journeys will be faster and extra capacity on the road will reduce congestion for other road users.
Greenery is returning to areas of the site that had been cleared for construction equipment during the build.
Note the tree planting, crossing points, cycleway/footway, and new access to the towpath.
Traffic can now use the new bridge in both directions. We are widening the south end of the promenade and restoring the promenade handrail on the eastern side of the A629 to make a pleasant and safe route for people walking through the area. A new crossing will allow people to cross the A629, safely linking the bridge and promenade.
The old Wakefield Road link has been closed and is being landscaped to blend in with the nearby trees. The new junction layout is in use and signals will be added before the project is complete.
The Salterhebble River Bridge has been repaired and widened to allow for the A629 to span up to five lanes at the junction with Jubilee Road. A new signal-controlled crossing allows people to move safely along the A629. The footway/cycleway will be available throughout this section on the west side of the A629. We’re adding in some new parking for residents, construction visible in the bottom right of this image.
17 June 2024
We have updated the A629 phase 1b frequently asked questions (FAQ).
29 April 2024
New bridge and routes now open. The new link road on the A629 south of Halifax is now open, as part of work to improve the flow of traffic and make it easier to walk, cycle or take public transport.
17 April 2024
The layout around the A629 at the Calder and Hebble junction is changing. There will be new crossings, safer routes for walking and cycling through the area, and new ways to access the canal.
We’re opening some of the layout before the whole project is complete. If you are travelling through the area you will have access to new routes to get you from A to B. We've provided an overview of these new routes so you can prepare ahead of your next journey.
13 March 2024
We've completed the final surfacing on Stainland Road and the new roundabout. The roundabout is now open to traffic.
8 February 2024
Updates from the site
Here are some images of the work in progress. These were captured in January 2024.
At the southern end of the site the new canal bridge is closer to completion. The route across the new bridge will be open this Spring. Note the balancing pond and habitat area in the foreground, and access to the canal towpath from the roundabout for walkers and cyclists.
This view shows the location of two new pedestrian crossings near the junction of Stainland Road and the A629. Note the new surfaces on the footpath either side of both roads.
At Jubilee Road we are adding a new signal controlled junction, parking for residents, and removing the option to park along the roadside.
On the opposite side of the A629 we’re widening the Salterhebble River Bridge so there is plenty of room for two lanes of traffic to both sides of the carriageway, and for people walking, cycling, and accessing the canal.
This project connects to the work completed for the A629 Salterhebble to Shaw Hill project. From here we’re widening the A629 to two continuous lanes in each direction all the way to Elland Wood Bottom, and building better routes for walking and cycling through the area.
December 2023
The Council facilitated the planting of 300 trees on the boundary of Park Wood Crematorium in Elland, to help attract wildlife.
The work is part of a major planting scheme linked to the A629 Calder and Hebble phase 1b project, which will also see over 100 semi-mature trees planted on site, together with a new wildflower meadow. In addition, a native scrub and willow habitat will also be created between the new roundabout junction to Stainland Road and the Calder and Hebble Navigation canal.
Read: Tree planting programme takes root.
13 December 2023
We have updated the A629 phase 1b frequently asked questions (FAQ).
21 November 2023
Updates from the site
Here are some images captured in September and November 2023:
New canal bridge connecting the A629 to the new roundabout on Stainland Road.
The new balancing pond will help to manage drainage throughout the new layout and create a new habitat for nature.
New walking and cycling route connecting to the canal on the right of the image. Work on the new roundabout is close to completion. The new bus priority layout will run along Stainland Road at the rear of the image.
Work in progress on the A629 in September 2023. The new road layout with added filter lanes for turning in and out of businesses. These new lanes will reduce queueing and allow traffic to keep flowing.
9 November 2023
We have updated the A629 phase 1b frequently asked questions (FAQ).
24 July 2023
New home for nature on the A629. A major planting scheme will soon get underway in Halifax as part of the A629 Calder and Hebble phase 1b project. Over 100 semi-mature trees will be planted on site and an additional 250 trees will be planted nearby, together with a new wildflower meadow.
We have updated the A629 phase 1b frequently asked questions (FAQ).
12 July 2023
We have updated the A629 phase 1b frequently asked questions (FAQ).
10 July 2023
The full phase 1b project is due to be completed by summer 2024. Some elements will be open earlier, such as the new link bridge which is due to open to traffic in autumn this year. Most of the road network is expected to be open by early 2024.
5 July 2023
We've produced a couple of helpful videos showing how people will be able to travel through the area once the work is complete. These videos are indicative of the final layout and design of the scheme.
Flythrough - Elland Wood Bottom towards Copley and Sowerby Bridge
Watch this animated flythrough of the A629 phase 1b project. The video runs along the route from Elland Wood Bottom and through the area where work is underway, towards Copley and Sowerby Bridge. Look out for new shared footways, cycleways and routes for buses, as well as the new roundabout and bridge over the canal.
Flythrough - Salterhebble Hill towards West Vale and Stainland
Our second animated flythrough runs through the area on the route out of Halifax, heading south towards West Vale and Stainland. The video shows new shared footways and cycleways, junction layouts, and access to the canal towpath.
3 July 2023
How we installed a new bridge
In January, we used two huge cranes to lift beams into place for a new bridge spanning the Calder and Hebble Navigation.
29 June 2023
Updates from the site
The new roundabout is taking shape. Lighting has been installed and road surfacing is underway. We have started work on excavation of the balancing pond (towards the right in the image below).
Work continues on the new bridge too. The new bridge and roundabout will be open to traffic in September 2023.
While at the northern extent of the construction area, work is going ahead on the pavement, ducting and drainage. Access to Bankhouse Lane is visible on the right of this image below.
14 June 2023
These photos from our contractors Sisk were taken in May 2023 and show how work on the project is progressing on site.
View of the new bridge next to the A629
Construction of the new roundabout that will connect the A629 to the A6026 is visible along with the new bridge.
View of new roundabout on the A6026
The new bridge and A629 feature in the background.
Piling rig
The piling rig is being used to prepare for widening the carriageway over the Salterhebble River Bridge on the A629 near the junction with Jubilee Road.
31 January 2023
Huge bridge beams lifted into place as part of major improvement works. Two huge cranes, one weighing over 1000 tonnes, have been used to lift beams into place as part of a new bridge spanning the Calder and Hebble navigation, around Salterhebble, near Halifax.
Our contractor Sisk have completed the following:
Promenade
- Stone retaining wall structural elements
- 33kv electric cable diversion
New Canal bridge
- Foundations and abutments completed
- Installed bridge beams
Huddersfield Road
- Demolition of Punchbowl pub
- Construction of reclaimed stone faced retaining walls
Watermill Pub and Bankhouse Lane
- Demolition work
- New boundary wall to Watermill car park
Jubilee Road
- New retaining wall
- Resident parking now in use
We have diverted and upgraded several underground utilities (BT, Virgin Media, gas, electric) during the construction work.
We have updated the A629 phase 1b frequently asked questions (FAQ).
4 November 2022
Calderdale Council faces severe financial pressures which will have an impact on delivery of proposed development projects across the borough: Impact of national financial crisis on Calderdale projects.
March 2022
The former Punchbowl pub was demolished as part of the ongoing work to widen the carriageway. See our short clip of the demolition in progress
January 2022
Work was undertaken to install the pilings ready to allow the bridge construction to start later in the year. Work is ongoing to create space alongside the A629 to allow the carriageway to be widened.
November 2021
John Sisk & Son begin main construction on and along the A629 in Salterhebble
Early 2021
Initial site clearance undertaken was completed by April, including clearing vegetation along Stainland Road and Huddersfield Road. Key consideration was given to conservation throughout this process. Site clearance allowed access for further technical surveys and inspections which have fed back into the design process
2020
Tendering process undertaken which lead to the appointment of John Sisk & Son as contractors on the scheme. They will be supported by WSP to deliver the final designs
May 2019
Planning permission was granted
Autumn 2018
Public engagement took place in early autumn which informed the proposals that will be submitted for planning permission in late 2018
Funding
Approximate scheme value: £36M.
This project was made possible through funding from:
