Kirklees Together

Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), in partnership with Kirklees Council and Canal & River Trust, has released its plans to upgrade the canal towpath between Shepley Bridge Marina and Station Road.  The rail upgrade programme will also provide improvements to Mirfield Memorial Park.

The proposals come as part of TRU’s ‘First and Last Mile’ programme, which aims to improve journeys to and from the stations along the route between Manchester and York.

The innovative scheme has pressed ahead with plans for the Mirfield station area and before on-site work begins, a public consultation on concept designs was undertaken with thoughts welcome from any interested parties.

Councillor Munir Ahmed, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways said:

“We are delighted Mirfield Memorial Park has secured funding from TRU’s First and Last Mile scheme. This will enable the council to improve various entrance points to the park, benefiting local residents. Upgrade works to the canal towpath, which runs next to the park, will also improve the access points between the park and canal. Together the works will provide improved accessibility to the park and towpath for residents, as well as enhancing an alternative ‘green’ route to the railway station for rail users.

“This project is in addition to the funding secured for the play park as part of the Playable Spaces Scheme.”

The canal towpath from Shepley Bridge Marina to Station Road will be revamped to allow for enhanced pedestrian use, with an agreement also in place with Kirklees Council Highways to provide an improved crossing point on Lowlands Road to enable better access between the footway network and the canal.

Mark Robinson, Enterprise Manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: 

“We know how popular this section of towpath is along the Calder & Hebble Navigation which is well used by the local community and among our canal users and we’re delighted that funding has been secured.

“As a charity it’s so important that we work with other organisations to keep our historic canals alive. This towpath upgrade project is a fantastic example of how we can work together to make canals more welcoming and attractive not only to local people but also visiting boaters, which bring important economic benefits to the local communities.

“We strongly encourage people to take a look at these proposals and have their say on how they can be improved.”

What upgrades are planned for Mirfield? 

Upgrades to Mirfield Memorial Park include play area improvements, accessibility improvements from Gill Bridge and Hurst Lane into the park, with new Petanque pistes proposed as well as renovations to the steps of Parkfield Crescent.

The goal of the scheme upon completion within Mirfield is for the residents and visitors to enjoy vastly improved accessibility to the station with better natural spaces and facilities throughout the area.

Rachel Blake, Sponsor for First and Last Mile, TRU, said: 

“This is a huge step forward for TRU’s First and Last Mile scheme – the impact of the upgrades will leave a lasting legacy for the programme in the town and greatly improve both leisure and accessibility around Mirfield station, thanks to our successful partnership with our friends at Kirklees Council and the Canal & River Trust.

“Whilst this is a great milestone for the scheme, we stay committed to delivering similar projects across the wider TRU route.”