Overview
- Calderdale Council has suspended the start of Phase 2 of the Brighouse regeneration while it reviews design and business-impact concerns, but the authority says the project is not cancelled and Phase 1 continues.
- Local Reform UK ward councillors said the pause will let officers seek design clarifications and explore alternative proposals after businesses warned the plans could reduce accessibility.
- Businesses and councillors specifically cited loss of parking spaces, the conversion of bays to loading areas, and Bradford Road changes to make room for a cycle lane as key objections.
- Contractor Esh has told about 30 local firms that Phase 1, originally due to finish this month, is now likely to run to the end of August or later, increasing uncertainty for traders.
- Calderdale Labour has demanded clear evidence and published risk assessments about the pause and warned that lack of clarity could undermine confidence in the £19.1m Town Deal-funded scheme.