By Joshua Robinson – 

Kirklees Council’s Highways Capital Plan for 2024-26 was agreed by the Cabinet on Tuesday 9th July. The plan details £41 million of investment over two years and covers all aspects of highway essential works.

This includes road surfacing and potholes, street lighting, road safety, flood management and drainage, traffic signals, car parking, cycling facilities, and public transport provision.

In addition to the plan, the Department for Transport (DfT) has given the council £500,000 from the Green Light Fund for traffic signal improvements. Along with £875,000 from the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for the Kirklees Speed Limit Review. With an additional £72,600 as a share of the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Traffic Signals Obsolescence Grant, as well as Network North funding of £1,843,934.

Cllr Cathy Scott, Leader of Kirklees Council, said to Kirklees Together: “The maintenance and improvements of our highways network are vital for the development of Kirklees as a place where people want to live, work and visit. Continued investment improves access links between our towns and villages, creating more opportunities for education, employment, and training.”

“Investing in highways assets across Kirklees is key to supporting mode shift to more sustainable methods of transport by investing in safer pedestrian access, cycling facilities and better access to public transport, linking our town centres.”

The Projects That Will Benefit from Funding:

Projects over the next two years would see improvements to flood management with improved gullies and drains.

Local Public Rights of Way (PROW) will see better signage, boardwalks, footbridges, and handrails, along with improved drainage and vegetation management, making areas more accessible.

Funding for Urban Traffic Control (UTC) will support new traffic light technology. Prioritising junction and crossing sites for replacement, helping to improve journey times and prioritise public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists.

West Yorkshire Vision Zero, is a partnership working to reduce road danger, and will continue to encourage a shift towards more active modes of transport. This will be carried out through analysis of improvements in route infrastructure, pedestrian crossings, and safety on school routes, as well as further speed management initiatives. CRSTS funding is allocated to drive economic growth, improve services, and de-carbonise transport.

Make sure to read the original piece that covered this topic at Kirklees Together.

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