Key details
We’re delivering regeneration in Halifax. We’re creating new public spaces, improving accessibility, creating areas where people can move around free of traffic, improving vehicle circulation around the town and public transport connectivity, and supporting our aspirations for inclusive growth.
Current status
On this page
Plans
We’re delivering change for Halifax on a grand scale. There will be more space for people to move around and enjoy the town. At the edges, we are making welcoming gateways to the town centre. New cycle routes will make it safer to get from A to B and make it clear for all road users who has priority. We’ve designed junction layouts that are more efficient and help people to get to their destination, and we are upgrading signals so that they work together to keep traffic moving when it gets busy.
If you have questions or comments about this project, you can email the project team at: A629Phase2@calderdale.gov.uk.
Benefits
Economic growth
We’re making opportunities for Halifax’s vibrant local economy to grow. These changes will encourage new investment, greater footfall, and more trade.
Landscape
We’re creating public spaces for people, planting trees and landscaping, and improving the aesthetic appeal of Halifax.
Sustainability
We have designed routes that prioritise space for people who walk, wheel or cycle around the town centre. There will be new crossings and changes to crossings to improve the experience for people walking and cycling, more convenient bus stops and routes, and easier access to Halifax Rail Station and Halifax Bus Station.
Safety
We’re building features to make journeys safer for all, like wider crossing facilities, and we're removing the subway at Cow Green. We’re changing road layouts with safety in mind and creating new pedestrianised areas so people can travel around town without having to cross busy roads.
Journey times
We’re reducing the amount of traffic that comes through the town centre, particularly at peak times, and providing alternative routes to the east and west of town.
Air quality
We’re making changes to improve air quality in Halifax. The new layout will improve the circulation of traffic around the town’s perimeter and remove vehicles from the town centre. We’re introducing high-quality pedestrian and cycle infrastructure, new bus routes and electric vehicle charging points so that everyone can make choices that contribute to a cleaner town.
Overview
We will work over three areas of Halifax that we’ll refer to as west, central and east. We are:
- pedestrianising Market Street and a short length of Northgate,
- adding and upgrading crossings,
- adding new cycle routes and facilities at major junctions and throughout the town,
- removing the roundabout at Bull Green and replacing it with a more efficient layout,
- filling in the subway at Cow Green,
- planting trees and landscaping,
- creating a public space outside Square Chapel and Halifax Central Library,
- moving the main traffic route east of the former Hughes Corporation building towards Bank Bottom,
- adding blue badge parking spaces on Princess Street,
- introducing new bus stops on Southgate, Ward's End, Union Street, Church Street, Alfred Street East, and Horton Street,
- prioritising bus access at Winding Road,
- moving taxi provision from the middle of Market Street further south, and adding taxi provision on Albion Street and Horton Street,
- and realigning the road at Lower Kirkgate and Bank Bottom.
West
Work along the western corridor is underway and due to be complete in late 2025.
We are changing routes around the town and creating welcoming gateways for people as they enter and leave the town centre at Bull Green and Ward’s End. We’ll change the layouts of roads and junctions to make walking, cycling and public transport routes easier and safer.
Overview of (the most up-to-date) plans for the west of Halifax [full size].
Junction of Skircoat Road and Prescott Street - Complete
We have installed cycle lanes on either side of the road to create safer routes for people travelling to and from the town centre from the south, and destinations like the Shay Stadium. We have replaced the staggered crossings on Prescott Street and on the southern arm of the junction. The new crossings allow people to cross in a straight line without a pause. We have upgraded the signals so that they link to others in the area to keep vehicles moving more efficiently when there is traffic to the west of town.
Bull Green - Complete
The most visible change at Bull Green is the removal of the roundabout.
We have replaced the roundabout with a new junction layout that allows for:
- A new gateway to the town centre from the west with more space, and a more pleasant experience for people walking into the town centre,
- trees to be planted around the junction,
- a new crossing on Bull Green,
- more efficient journeys for buses and other traffic passing through,
- and a new right turn out of George Street with new signals to improve and simplify access for buses and taxis heading towards north Halifax.
Northgate and Bus Station
We’re building a more welcoming experience for people travelling from Halifax Bus Station and the north of the town into the town centre. The section of Northgate between Northgate House and Trinity Sixth Form Academy and the Bus Station will be converted to a space for people walking or cycling, with trees and places to sit.
People travelling on their bicycles will be able to safely and efficiently thanks to new cycle routes.
We’re putting a new crossing in so people can cross the new bus station exit safely. We’re upgrading the crossing on Broad Street from Broad Street Plaza to allow people to cross in a straight line without a pause. We will upgrade the signals so that they link to others in the area to keep vehicles moving more efficiently when there is traffic to the west of town.
The plans for this section of the A629 phase 2 project have been designed to link with design features of the new Halifax Bus Station and the new exit for buses.
Junction of Winding Road and Northgate
We will be replacing the staggered crossing between Broad Street Plaza and Halifax Bus Station. The new crossing will allow people to cross in a straight line without a pause. The plans for this section of the A629 phase 2 project have been designed to link with design features of the new Halifax Bus Station like the new entrance on Winding Road.
People travelling on their bicycles will be able to navigate the junction safely and efficiently thanks to new cycle routes. These routes will have signals to make it clear to everyone on the junction who has priority.
We will upgrade the signals so that they link to others in the area to keep vehicles moving more efficiently when there is traffic to the west of town.
Junction of Cow Green and Pellon Lane
We’re building a more welcoming experience for people travelling from the west to the town centre. There will be a new gateway to the town centre from the west with more space, trees and planting, and a more pleasant experience for people walking. We’re going to fill in the subway that connects Lister Court to Crown Street and replace it with a crossing on Cow Green.
People travelling on their bicycles will be able to navigate the junction safely and efficiently thanks to new cycle routes. These routes will have signals to make it clear to everyone on the junction who has priority.
We will remove access from Central Street to Cow Green. Those travelling along Central Street will be able to make the right turn onto Crown Street. We will upgrade signals so that they link to others in the area to keep vehicles moving more efficiently when there is traffic to the west of town.
Cross Hills
We will add a new crossing on North Bridge Street to make the walk into town from the north safer. We will install cycle lanes on either side of the road to create safer routes for people travelling by bike.
We will upgrade signals so that they link to others in the area to keep vehicles moving more efficiently when there is traffic to the west of town.
Junction of Commercial Street and Fountain Street - Complete
We have replaced the staggered crossings on Fountain Street and Commercial Street. The new crossings allow people to cross in a straight line without a pause. Around the junction, we have created more space and a more pleasant experience for people walking in and out of the town centre and will add trees.
People travelling on their bicycles will be able to navigate the junction safely and efficiently thanks to new cycle routes. Cycle routes will be clearly marked leading in and out of Commercial Street. The short section of Trinity Road that passes by the Halifax offices will become a cycle route. Cycle routes that cross the junction will have signals to make it clear to everyone who has priority.
The one-way along Powell Street has been reversed.
We have upgraded signals so that they link to others in the area to keep vehicles moving more efficiently when there is traffic to the west of town.
Orange Street junction
On Broad Street, we’re adding a new crossing close to the junction with Orange Street. This crossing will create a more direct link for people travelling between the St James Road area and the town centre near Halifax Town Hall. We will upgrade the signals so that they link to others in the area to keep vehicles moving more efficiently when there is traffic to the west of town.
Central
We’re turning Market Street into an area for people, pedestrianising the area from the edge of Halifax Borough Market at Albion Street to Old Market, creating new places for people to meet, and opportunities for business to grow in the heart of the town centre.
Overview of proposals for the central Halifax [full size].
East
On the eastern side of the town, we will be connecting Halifax Rail Station to the centre through a new town gateway at Square Chapel, and routing traffic away from the town centre.
Overview of proposals for the east of Halifax [full size].
Across the whole area, we will be enhancing how streets look, installing smart signals that work together to improve traffic flow, and we’ll be moving bus routes to the edge, further removing traffic from the town centre.
Junction of New Road and South Parade
We will remove the mini roundabout to create a new efficient junction layout. We’ll add clear cycle routes to make the junction safer and easier to use for everyone. We’re creating two lanes on approach to the junction from Church Street to reduce journey times for vehicles travelling through to Prescott Street and South Parade.
We’re installing new crossings on Prescott Street and Church Street so people can cross safely.
Vehicles will no longer be able to access New Road from this junction creating a relatively traffic free option for people walking, cycling or commuting from south of Halifax into the town centre. Vehicles will need to use Bath Street instead of Lilly Lane to access Church Street.
Junction of Horton Street and Church Street
We are going to upgrade and realign the crossing so people can cross from the train station towards Central Library and the Piece Hall in one movement. We’ll create wider footpaths, improved crossing points, and a new road layout for Square Road at the Blackledge junction.
Eastern gateway
We’re creating an open and welcoming public space on the approach to the Piece Hall, and a pleasant walking and cycling route into the town centre. We’ll install rising bollards to allow access for approved vehicles, while maintaining a safe and traffic-free environment in this area. We will create a new meeting space and calming environment with trees and landscaping.
To create all of this, we will build a new road to the east of the Hughes Corporation building. The road will follow the old alignment of Church Street and serve as the main road carrying traffic around the eastern side of Halifax.
We are changing the alignment of Alfred Street East, creating a new parking area for vehicles and motorcycles, which will be accessed from Dispensary Walk. Traffic will access Dispensary Walk from Berwick Street instead of Church Street.
We’ll add new bus stops which will help to bus operators to provide easy links between the rail station, bus station, and other areas of town.
Charles Street
We’re adding a bus gate to limit access to buses, cycles, taxis and motorcycles only along a section of Charles Street between Square Road and King Street. Access to Woolshops Car Park will be maintained. The exit from Woolshops car park on Hatters Fold will be right turn only onto Square Road.
We’re adding a new zebra crossing so people can cross Square Road safely. Cycle lanes in both directions along this section of Charles Street will allow people to travel more easily along this busy route between the rail station, the bus station, and town centre.
We’re changing the layout of the junctions with King Street and Causeway to make it easier and safer to cross the roads, walk, or cycle through this area.
New Bank
We will extend the outbound lanes on Charlestown Road at the junction with New Bank to increase capacity and reduce journey times around the east of Halifax.
We will improve the signal-controlled crossings that form part of the link between New Bank and North Bridge.
Progress
30 September 2025
Details on this page updated to reflect completed sections of work at Bull Green, Skircoat Road and Prescott Street, and Commercial Street and Fountain Street.
New summaries of plans are now available for the east area.
17 September 2025
From Wednesday 17 September 2025, the Lister Court and Crown Street subway will permanently close and Galliford Try will begin work to fill in the subway, replacing it with a new crossing at Cow Green.
Work will include filling in the subway entrances, installing new drainage connections and removing railings. A temporary crossing will be installed at Cow Green while work is underway.
After Sunday 21 September 2025 the free shuttle bus will no longer operate.
We commissioned the free shuttle bus to support access around the western side of the town whilst construction work at Bull Green caused disruption to local bus routes. Work at Bull Green is almost complete, with some final finishing touches planned for week commencing Monday 15 September 2025. In light of this milestone, several bus services will start returning to George Square from Sunday 21 September 2025, including the 532 bus service which will restore connectivity to the western side of the town centre.
Further information about these bus services can be found on the WY Metro website.
12 May 2025
Read about what's been happening with the project and see the latest progress photos.
May 2025
We have added an update to the western corridor traffic regulation order to ban the left turn from Portland Place to Prescott Street, and to facilitate updated traffic signals at this junction. Consultation will close on Thursday 29 May 2025.
30 April 2025
Evening works are underway at the junction of Orange Street and Broad Street between 8pm and 5am with some road closures and diversions in place.
Items from the recently uncovered time capsule are now on display at The Piece Hall Visitor Centre until Friday 30 May 2025.
18 February 2025
Time capsule uncovered in Halifax. The time capsule, buried by Calderdale Council in partnership with local schools in 1998, has been discovered by contractors Galliford Try working on the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre project.
14 February 2025
Notice is given for the A629 Phase 2 Public Inquiry 2025. Further details and supporting documents can be found online .
14 February 2025
We want to know what you think of proposals to change the traffic regulation order (TRO) in an area east of Halifax town centre. The area connects Halifax Rail Station, The Piece Hall, Woolshops, Halifax Bus Station, Broad Street Plaza and routes in and out of the town centre.
We will use feedback from this informal consultation to ensure plans for this section of the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre project are ready to be submitted for a formal TRO consultation later in the year.
We want to introduce a new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) so we can:
- create new public spaces,
- develop a sense of place that links with the historic core of Halifax,
- improve accessibility,
- create areas where people can move around free of traffic,
- improve vehicle circulation around the town,
- improve public transport connectivity,
- and support aspirations for inclusive growth in Halifax.
The order includes changes to bus stops and taxi ranks, new cycle and pedestrian zones, changes to parking, and rerouting of traffic.
We're listening
We welcome your views on our proposals. You can view these on the Traffic Regulation Order -east web page.
Please take some time to review the proposals and send your questions and feedback to: a629phase2tro@calderdale.gov.uk.
Printed copies of the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre informal TRO east area consultation pack are available on request.
This consultation will close on Friday 14 March 2025. We will review all feedback and use what we learn to develop the designs. These designs will be subject to further formal consultation.
19 December 2024
We have released new images showing how work on the A629 Halifax town centre project around Halifax town centre will transform travel. Images show new safer ways for people to get around, and welcoming gateways to the town centre.
4 November 2024
Do you have questions about the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre project? Galliford Try will be at Halifax Borough Market each week to help answer them. Find them on their market stall every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and Wednesdays (new time) from 10am to 1pm at Halifax Borough Market, between Urban Burrito and Toffee Smiths.
16 October 2024
Do you have questions about the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre project? Galliford Try will be at Halifax Borough Market each week to help answer them. Find them on their market stall every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and Wednesdays from 12 noon to 2pm at Halifax Borough Market, between Urban Burrito and Toffee Smiths.
30 September 2024
Uploaded up-to-date overview of plans for Halifax (overview) and for the west of Halifax.
17 September 2024
Updated the overview of proposals for Halifax included in the A629 phase 2 project. [View full size].
Added overviews of proposals for the west, central, and east of Halifax.
14 August 2024
We have updated the frequently asked questions (FAQ) page for this project.
12 August 2024
We have expanded the route of the free shuttle bus serving Halifax town centre and the west of the town. The new route will support access while improvement works take place.
16 July 2024
We've introduced a new, free shuttle bus service to better connect the A58 Burdock Way and the A629 in Halifax while the work in the area of Bull Green goes ahead.
The bus picks up and drops off at George Street (stop 23), Bull Green roundabout, Cow Green, Pellon Lane, Hanson Lane, Hope Street, Gibbet Street, Hall Street, Boyne Street, Hopwood Lane, King Cross Street, Cow Green, Lister Street, Hall Street, Gibbet Street, Hope Street, Hanson Lane, Pellon Lane, Crown Street and terminating at George Street.
This temporary service runs from George Street, Monday - Saturday 0700 – 1900, and Sunday 0900 – 1700, on the hour and every 30 mins.
19 June 2024
Find out what is happening this month on the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre project. Construction stage underway, temporary signals and crossings, and surveys.
10 June 2024
From 16 June 2024, some bus stops will be suspended, bus routes may be diverted, and passengers may need to board and alight at a different stop to the one they may be used to for journeys into and out of Halifax.
Read: Changes in Halifax for bus passengers.
You can find out about all the changes to services in Halifax from Metro, or call MetroLine on 0113 245 7676.
8 April 2024
We have updated the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre frequently asked questions (FAQ).
21 March 2024
We're listening...
Work is starting on the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre project. As part of this work, we are proposing to make changes to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). These include changes to waiting restrictions, loading bays and parking.
The updated TRO proposals include changes we made in response to feedback from the informal consultation in February/March 2023. We have made design adjustments to improve accessibility, and changes to loading options, with an additional loading bay on Wards End.
The formal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation for A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre (western corridor) will run until Thursday 18 April 2024.
Read: Shaping future travel in and around Halifax.
FAQ
We've prepared some answers for some of the questions you may have for this project. We will update the frequently asked questions (FAQ) page throughout the project. If you have a question we have not answered please email us.
22 February 2024
Plans to transform travel and public spaces in and around Halifax town centre are moving forward, with Calderdale Council appointing the construction contractor to carry out the works.
Read: Contractor appointed for major Halifax town centre improvements.
13 November 2023
Back in February and March 2023 the public were invited to examine proposals for changes to traffic regulations as part of the A629 phase 2 Halifax town centre project.
The traffic regulation order included changes to bus stops and taxi ranks, new cycle features and pedestrian zones,and changes to parking and rerouting of traffic.
The consultation was open from Monday 6 February to midnight on Sunday 5 March 2023.
Results of the consultation are now available to view: Halifax Town Centre Traffic Regulation Order Consultation Results.
Read: Feedback used to shape plans for improved travel in Halifax.
27 July 2023
Overview of proposals for Halifax included in the A629 phase 2 project updated.
6 February 2023
We want to introduce a new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) so we can:
- create new public spaces,
- develop a sense of place that links with the historic core of Halifax,
- improve accessibility,
- create areas where people can move around free of traffic,
- improve vehicle circulation around the town,
- improve public transport connectivity,
- and support aspirations for inclusive growth in Halifax.
The order includes changes to bus stops and taxi ranks, new cycle and pedestrian zones, changes to parking, and rerouting of traffic.
We're listening
We welcome your views on our proposals. You can use Calderdale TraffWeb to comment, agree, object, or plot an issue on the map. Alternatively, you can send feedback to: a629phase2tro@calderdale.gov.uk.
Please contact us if you would like printed copies or materials in different formats.
This consultation will close on Sunday 5 March 2023. We will review all feedback and use what we learn to develop the designs. These designs will be subject to further formal consultation.
2021
Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Supplement
On 27 October 2021 a supplement was made to the A629 Phase 2 CPO which ran from 17 December 2020 until 29 January 2021. The supplement is to include an additional plot of land off Church Street and another additional plot of land in front of the Broad Street Plaza. For further information please see the supporting document section on this page where the following documentation is held;
CPO supplement order - Phase 2
CPO supplement map 1 - Phase 2
CPO supplement map 2 - Phase 2
Supplement statement of reasons - Phase 2
CPO supplement newspaper and site notice - Phase 2
2020
Following Grade II listing status being granted to the former Hughes Corporation building on Square Road, the Eastern Gateway proposals to create a striking public space area between the railway station and the library/Piece Hall have been revised. The new plans now fully encompass the building and it’s felt that this has enhanced the overall aesthetics of the gateway approach with minimal impact to the original highway proposals.
The revised designs were approved by Planning Committee in June 2020. A Full Business Case (FBC) was submitted to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in early July 2020 and a final project funding decision was approved in early November at West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Investment Committee. This now allows for the release of a construction tender to the market place. This is likely to happen in Spring 2022 with a view to commencing works on site late 2022/early 2023. This major work, whilst dependent upon bidders’ submitted duration programmes, is likely to reach a summer 2026 completion date, which takes into account the need for business continuity to be maintained throughout the work.
Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Side Road Order (SRO) 2020
To see the A629 Phase 2 CPO and SRO 2020 Statement of Case and supporting documentation, please click here
Funding
Approximate scheme value: £64M.
This project was made possible through funding from:
