Calderdale Parking Strategy

On Tuesday 7th February 2024 HRBF held an information session with Calderdale Council outlining the HX7 parking strategy.

The work to create a holistic, integrated parking plan for Hebden Bridge is just beginning, and Calderdale Council are seeking active involvement from local people and businesses to help devise a plan that supports the strategic aims (see slide 1 below).

There were frustrated voices against the spaces coming off Fallingroyd Road, others welcomed it especially cyclists. The decision to remove the 80 parking spaces from Fallingroyd Lane (the on road parking on the left as you leave Hebden Bridge towards Mytholmroyd) has gone through consultation and been approved but not yet been enforced. Calderdale are going to double check absolute dates to confirm next steps. The decision was based on safety of cyclists, the delay to buses meaning services are being reduced as buses can’t get to bus stops on time, and the impact on the general flow of traffic when large vehicles can’t pass each other because of the parked cars.

The removal of the 80 Fallingroyd Lane spaces was mitigated by the increase in parking at the train station (46 spaces), and the planned creation of a new car park at Bridge Lanes (54 spaces) near Market Street. The 46 new spaces at the train station are complete, but Bridge Lanes has been delayed by the Environment Agency (EA) who need to install a sluice to reduce flood risk. We await an update as to when EA will finish and when Calderdale can build the car park.

For this new strategic, integrated plan Calderdale will carry out a number of ‘on the ground’ surveys in February 2024, counting cars, assessing car parking space availability, condition etc. They will do this on different days including the weekend to gather a range of data. It’s acknowledged that February isn’t a busy time, so data from previous studies etc will also be used to give a rounded view. There was acknowledgement from Calderdale that the expected outcome of the survey would be that Hebden Bridge needs more parking, however to gain necessary funding to address the issues holistically, data is need to underpin the business case.

Once the data is gathered, Calderdale would like to return to HRBF to discuss and validate the findings, as well as to begin discussing the options for addressing the issues. The addressing of these issues won’t just be to add more parking spaces, but also to improve other options for people to choose less carbon intensive options if they can, freeing up car parking spaces for those who need them.

Calderdale would like to work closely with members on devising the business plans to ensure that whatever is asked for is fit for purpose and businesses have had input.

There were a number of people keen to talk about specific potential sites for more parking and how they could be used, if funding was available, and a couple of members are keen to start a working party on this. This will be taken forward.

There were discussions on how a Park & Ride scheme could be created, using one of the current privately owned locations awaiting development (area next to Mytholm Meadows & the old clog factory). Calderdale were keen to bring everyone back to the idea that us collaborating on building a good business case could help achieve funding, and a private land owner may be willing to sell if the price was right.

Further sessions discussing this important subject with Calderdale will be put on by HRBF as the project progresses, and HRBF encourages businesses to take this opportunity to be part of the process to influence direction and bring their business expertise to the discussion.

Parking Area Plans Presentation