Major route across Pennines from Hebden Bridge partially reopens after sewer collapse
The A646 Halifax Road has been closed at Charlestown, Hebden Bridge, since December 13
A major route across the Pennines has partially re-opened after more than a month closed to traffic.
The A646 Halifax Road has been closed at Charlestown, Hebden Bridge, since December 13 after a sewer collapsed but it will partially re-open under two-way lights – one lane only – from tomorrow morning.
Yorkshire Water have carried out major work to repair the sewer and a Calderdale Council-owned leaking culvert.
Full closure has meant the main route between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge was severed, leading to a recommended detour via Littleborough.
Rural hilltop routes some drivers were using have also caused issues, with a bridge collapse and other issues.
The length of time the repair has taken has been under fire including on social media from some residents and businesses in both towns, the latter saying it has impacted their trading, and the council had to “businesses open and accessible” notices to road closure signs in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge as a result.
Initial hoped-for re-opening dates of Christmas Eve and then January 13 could not be met, but now company and council have confirmed the road will open, one lane only on Thursday, January 23, several days ahead of the next target of January 27.
This will be from 6am, and under two-way lights.
In a joint statement, the company and council said re-opening the road has been hampered by the complexities of the repair and extreme weather conditions.
But now the sewer has now been fully repaired and the culvert reinstated.
A lining will be added at a later date and the road re-opened fully.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: “We would like to thank everyone for their patience as we carried out both repairs and appreciate that this has been frustrating for all involved.
“We’d also like to thank the team that pulled out all of the stops to get this vital repair fixed as quickly as possible, working long hours in extremely cold and wet conditions.”
Public transport will also be back on the road with normal 591 and 592 bus services from Todmorden resuming from 6am on Thursday, January 23, but with the scheduled shuttle bus service, which has been operating for residents on the Todmorden side of Halifax Road, also still operating until 5pm on Saturday, January 25.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport, Coun Sarah Courtney (Lab, Todmorden), said: “It’s great news that the complex work on the A646 has progressed to the point where one lane can be reopened under two-way lights, which will be manned during peak hours.
“We absolutely understand that this closure has been frustrating and disruptive and thank people for their patience whilst work has been underway.
“To minimise any further disruption, it’s important that there is a clear route through for traffic, also allowing heavy plant access to the site.
“As such, we’re asking people not to park on the roadside near the work site and we will be installing ‘no parking’ signs to this effect.
“This should also clear access for businesses operating in the area.”