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[From Huddersfield Hub, 15 October 2021. Incidentally, we’d like to put in a plug for the Huddersfield Hub, which is a newish news website for Huddersfield. They aim to cover local news, business, sport, what’s on, community and charity events across the Huddersfield area.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Huddersfield Railway Station will be closed for a month \u2013 twice \u2013 when modernisation work gets underway as part of the \u00a31.5 billion rail electrification scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the date of a public inquiry is revealed, the scale of disruption facing Huddersfield has started to emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department for Transport has announced that the public inquiry will be held at the John Smith\u2019s Stadium from November 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And documents published ahead of the inquiry have given some insight into how much disruption will be caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scheme will see electrification of the line between Huddersfield and Westtown just outside Dewsbury with the number of tracks doubled from two to four along most of the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eight bridges will be rebuilt including a narrow bridge over the railway in Colne Bridge Road near to Bradley traffic lights. When work goes ahead the road could be closed for up to two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scheme will also mean an internal modernisation of the historic grade I-listed Huddersfield Railway Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deighton and Mirfield stations will also see significant upgrades and there will be a brand new station at Ravensthorpe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Documents submitted to the inquiry have revealed that the scheme is due to start in January 2023 and be completed in June 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also reveals that Huddersfield Railway Station will have two \u201cblockades\u201d \u2013 extended periods of closure \u2013 in Easter 2024 and Easter 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the first blockade the station will be closed for 30 days and trains will be replaced by buses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John William Street and Fitzwilliam Street will be closed for work on the railway bridge. During the blockade work will take place 24\/7. There was no detail about the length of the second blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kirklees Council lodged a formal objection to the scheme by Network Rail, forcing the public inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the objection, the council is not opposed to the investment and, conversely, is very much in favour of the scheme going ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The council made the objection because it had a number of concerns about the sheer level of disruption \u2013 not just to the railway but the roads as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though council officers had been talking to Network Rail since 2017, councillors felt they had been kept in the dark over many of the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Kirklees Council agreed its objection at a meeting in July, Clr Will Simpson, Cabinet member for Greener Kirklees and Culture, said: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is not a small matter and we don\u2019t object like this for the fun of it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA scheme like this will inevitably have a big impact but we have not had proper information or adequate assurances on behalf of our residents.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think any of us oppose this investment, we welcome it and we need it. But this is going to cause significant disruption.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet member for Regeneration, said the Department for Transport had behaved \u201cappallingly\u201d and residents had to be protected as much as possible from the disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inquiry will be chaired by inspector Paul Singleton as Network Rail seeks wide-ranging powers under the scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These include compulsory purchase of land, the permanent stopping up of footpaths and the closure of Huddersfield Broad Canal and the Calder & Hebble Navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Canal & River Trust and HD1 Developments Ltd, owner of the grade II-listed brick-built warehouse behind Huddersfield station, have also submitted formal objections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Huddersfield Railway Station to be shut for 30 days as part of ‘blockade’ for \u00a31.5 billion rail electrification scheme – Huddersfield Hub<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[From Huddersfield Hub, 15 October 2021. Incidentally, we’d like to put in a plug for the Huddersfield Hub, which is a newish news website for Huddersfield. They aim to cover local news, business, sport, what’s on, community and charity events … Continue reading