Calderdale Pledges £14m to Roads While Betting on Smarter Use of Existing Highway Space

Council says maintaining roads is essential to delivering greener travel as funding pressures continue to challenge long-term network resilience.

Calderdale Council is preparing to invest more than £14 million in maintaining and upgrading its highways over the coming year, arguing that well-maintained roads are fundamental to encouraging greater use of public transport, walking and cycling across the borough.

The proposed programme, which will be considered by the Council's Cabinet, combines existing capital funding with a £1.87 million allocation from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) aimed at tackling potholes and resurfacing deteriorating roads.

Rather than expanding road capacity, however, the authority says its long-term strategy focuses on making better use of the existing highway network.

Roads at the Heart of Transport Change

Calderdale believes improving highway infrastructure is central to achieving its wider transport and climate ambitions.

With the borough's steep valleys, historic towns and constrained road layouts making large-scale road widening largely impractical, the council intends to concentrate on reallocating existing road space, managing parking demand and creating better conditions for buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

Its latest highways programme forms part of the wider City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS)investment package, which supports improvements across West Yorkshire's transport network.

Council documents state that reliable road infrastructure is critical to encouraging behavioural change and supporting safer, more attractive alternatives to private car use.

Majority of Funding Directed to Repairs

Of the total investment, almost £10 million has been earmarked for carriageway and footway maintenance.

The programme includes:

• Road resurfacing

• Pothole and patch repairs

• Surface dressing

• Footway reconstruction

Schemes have been prioritised using condition surveys alongside factors such as traffic volumes, route importance and access to key community facilities including hospitals, GP surgeries and local services.

A further £2 million will be invested in maintaining bridges, retaining structures and drainage systems, with work planned on several historic viaducts and other ageing highway assets.

The remaining £2.2 million will fund a range of smaller improvements, including road safety schemes, traffic signal upgrades, public rights of way maintenance and local transport enhancements.

Funding Pressures Continue

Despite the investment, the council acknowledges that rising construction costs and supply chain disruption continue to place significant pressure on highway maintenance budgets.

Inflation has increased the cost of delivering repair programmes, while shortages of labour and materials have made long-term planning more difficult.

The accompanying highways report warns that the authority is effectively managing a network in gradual decline, prioritising limited resources to slow deterioration rather than fully restore road conditions.

It also cautions that further cost increases or project delays could affect the delivery of the planned programme.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Beyond roads themselves, Calderdale is responsible for an extensive portfolio of highway structures, including:

• 207 carriageway bridges

• 16 footbridges

• 61 major culverts

• Six subways

• Approximately 730 kilometres of retaining walls

These assets are subject to regular inspection, with general examinations taking place every two years and more comprehensive structural assessments every five years.

Maintaining these structures is becoming an increasingly important part of the council's overall highways strategy as infrastructure ages.

Balancing Today's Repairs with Tomorrow's Network

Councillor Darren Commons, Calderdale Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said improving the condition of the borough's roads remains a key priority while recognising the financial challenges facing local authorities.

He said investment would focus on the busiest routes and those serving important community destinations, while continuing to improve bridges and other vital highway infrastructure.

The programme highlights the difficult balance many local authorities are attempting to strike: maintaining ageing roads and structures while simultaneously redesigning transport networks to support lower-carbon travel and meet ambitious environmental objectives.