£210,000 improvements to improve bike and foot access to Dewsbury train station

The project is being delivered as part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's CityConnect programme, aimed at encouraging more people to travel on foot and by bike.

The purpose of the scheme, which is being delivered in partnership with Kirklees Council, is to make it easier for people to travel on foot and by bike to Dewsbury rail station via Eightlands Road, providing better access through surrounding residential areas.

People will also benefit from wider pavements with improved surfacing, better crossings and street lighting, 20mph zone and a new cycle route along Ashworth Road.

Councillor Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Kirklees Council on this important scheme, which will make it safer and easier for both residents and visitors to travel on foot and bike to Dewsbury rail station.

“Enabling more of us to combine walking and cycling with better access to public transport, will mean journeys using sustainable transport are viable for more people.

“Making walking and cycling a natural choice for short, everyday journeys is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health, transport and economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.”

The works are underway and it is expected construction will take approximately three months, with completion in March 2021.

A public engagement exercise took place between March 16 to April 13 2020, using the Combined Authority’s Your Voice website.

The Combined Authority and Kirklees Council were awarded money for this scheme from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund Early Wins, in 2019.

oun Peter McBride, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This scheme is an integral part of our blueprint vision; it will make it much easier for residents to access the station and the rest of town by foot and by bike. We are committed to making sure Dewsbury is a safe, green, family friendly town and reducing car use will be an important part of that.

“Dewsbury is ideally located for commuting to Leeds and Manchester, and this scheme alongside others planned for the future will mean many more people can get from home to work in a truly safe and sustainable way.”