A629 Halifax to Huddersfield (Phase 4 and 5)
We're improving the flow of traffic and making it easier to walk, cycle or take public transport along the A629.
The plans will ease congestion, reduce journey times on the corridor between Ainley Top roundabout and the Huddersfield Ring Road, which will support future housing and employment growth in Kirklees.
The A629 proposals form part of a wider programme of transport improvements across West Yorkshire, being delivered by Kirklees Council and Calderdale Council as part of the West Yorkshire 'Plus' Transport Fund (WY+TF).
The phases
- Phase 1a: Jubilee Road to Shaw Hill (Calderdale)
- Phase 1b: Elland Wood Bottom to Salterhebble Hill (Calderdale)
- Phase 2: Halifax Town Centre (Calderdale)
- Phase 4: Cycling, walking and public transport interventions, such as new cycle routes, upgraded shelters and real time information is currently paused
- Phase 5: Ainley Top into Huddersfield (Kirklees)
For further information about the Calderdale projects visit Calderdale Next Chapter
Phase 4 - Cycling, walking and public transport interventions
This project aims to complement the work of the four other A629 improvement projects by improving walking, cycling and bus infrastructure along the A629 corridor. Creating cycle lanes and safer pedestrian access as well as better links to public transport will make active travel a realist and safe option.
Phase 5 - Ainley Top into Huddersfield
Phase 5 highway improvements include:
- Cavalry Arms (Area B): Widening will be carried out on the northern side of Birkby Road to remove a wide staggered arrangement between East Street, to the west of the A629, and Birkby Road to the east. This will enable a more efficient junction allowing more green time to be given to Halifax Road.
- Prince Royd (Area C): Parking and loading restriction between Cavalry Arms and Birchencliffe Hill Road. Provision of on-road and off-road residential permit parking areas.
- Ainley Top (Area D): Extension of the southern approach lanes between Yew Tree Road and Ainley Top, and creation of a new left slip road onto Ainley Top roundabout; new cycle lanes and cycle crossings.
- Improve access to Halifax and Huddersfield from the M62, encouraging investment and enabling access to land for housing and employment development.
- Make bus journeys more practical, encouraging more people to use public transport.
- Dedicated cycle and pedestrian routes will make for safer journeys.
- The investment in active travel infrastructure and public transport will encourage users to reduce private vehicle usage and use sustainable travel modes, leading to fewer emissions and reduced congestion.
In total, up to 108 trees will be removed, however, comprehensive tree and shrub re-planting is included as part of the scheme. This will result in a mixture of mature, semi mature and smaller trees being planted along with shrubs and hedgerows. In total over 730 new trees will be planted along the route.
Proposed tree planting programme
- Blacker Road / Edgerton Road junction: 9 new trees to be planted as well as 10 large shrubs.
- Halifax Road / Birkby Road junction: 7 new trees to be planted as well as 20m of hedgerow and various species of shrubs.
- Ainley Top: Over 720 new trees to be planted.
Progress
- Removed existing island on Halifax Road and temporary lining in place.
- Tree and vegetation clearance.
- Installation of UTC ducted road crossings in new carriageway.
- New pipework and road crossings installed.
- Drainage work to replace concreate drain pipes.
We have received approval to proceed to construction. Subject to discharging planning conditions we will start construction from mid-September 2025.
Construction dates are:
- Cavalry Arms (Area B): Mid-February 2026 to mid-November 2026
- Prince Royd (Area C): Late October 2025 to mid-July 2026
- Ainley Top (Area D): 15th September 2025 to late June 2026
Due to the current economic climate, high rates of inflation have resulted in a funding shortfall. Following a joint review with Calderdale and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), a difficult decision was taken to put the project on hold. the project will continue from the existing development stage, once a new funding source has been identified.
Public engagement closed.
Public engagement process started with drop-in sessions.
Kirklees Council began engagement with landowners to secure the purchase of land. In June we published the plans and asked for people's views which resulted in the plans being adapted in response to those views.
