5 Highways Issues and Preferred Option

Highways Issues

5.1 The ability to access, move around, and service a town centre is vital if it is to be a viable and vibrant place.  Integrating pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular requirements is particularly challenging for Elland, and a full examination of this issue was undertaken by the highways and traffic consultants, Scott Wilson.

5.2 Contemporary Elland has inherited a legacy of highways development from the twentieth century that prioritises motor vehicle movements at the expense of pedestrians and cyclists. Unsustainable modes of transport have been prioritised and this has serious implications for the long-term sustainability and vitality of the town.

5.3 The infrastructure made available for motor vehicles tends to be ungainly, and the over use of cars vis-a-vis pedestrians limits the vitality of the town centre by reducing the viability of active frontages, including shops and other businesses. Hot spots of heavy traffic-use force pedestrians out of the area and therefore reduce footfall, thereby reducing the potential for retail trade. This is all too apparent in the existing state of Central Elland, and especially in the Town Centre. 

5.4 The Elland Riorges link and its roundabout at Southgate has created a large void in Central Elland's street scene stifling the vitality of the area, as well as creating an ugly, hazardous and polluted environment at a key gateway into the town. Moreover, this roadway has damaged the cohesiveness of Central Elland, segmenting the area and hindering pedestrian movement. At various other points in the town, for instance along Southgate and Northgate, there is an over dominance of the motor vehicle, which creates an unattractive area that is inappropriate for use by members of the local community and visitors alike.

5.5 The network of pathways in Central Elland is in a poor condition. Uneven, poorly paved, and narrow pathways are inappropriate for use by disabled members of the community and do not encourage people to utilise a highly sustainable and healthy mode of transportation, that is walking.

5.6 Equally, provisions for cyclists in Central Elland are poor. The infrastructure and facilities available to cyclists are virtually non-existant.

5.7 Facilities for the use of public transport are also inadequate, and along with the weaknesses in provisions for pedestrians and cyclists, it is clear that this further encourages the use of the car; an unsustainable form of transport that is damaging Central Elland, and its potential to regenerate. Facilities for the use of buses need to be enhanced, and a link to the railway network provided.

5.8 A summary of the main issues is as follows:

• Severance for pedestrians caused by roundabout at junction of Elland-Riorges / Southgate / Huddersfield Road.
• Dangerous crossing point for pedestrians at Southgate/Victoria Rd junction.
• Dangerous crossing area for pedestrians at The Cross.
• Inadequate capacity for two-way traffic along Northgate.
• Traffic exceeding speed limit on Elland-Riorges link.
• Lack of train and bus station.
• Poor provision of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure throughout Central Elland.

5.9 The preferred options for addressing these highways issues are considered in the section entitled “Highways: Preferred Options”.