Spen Valley Greenway gets the green light for exciting upgrade
A popular section of the Spen Valley Greenway between Cleckheaton and Liversedge is set to undergo major improvements this summer.
The project is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund. Kirklees Council and the charity Sustrans will work together to upgrade accessibility, lighting and surfacing on a 2km (1.5-mile) section of the Greenway between Tesco supermarket, Cleckheaton and Knowler Hill Tunnel at Liversedge.
Planned improvements
The off-road path will benefit from a smooth rolling surface, wider path, improved lighting and signage and better access points to the route, making it more accessible and safer for walkers, wheelers and cyclists of all ages and abilities.
Work is due to start from Monday 9 June and is expected to take around six months to complete. The section of Spen Valley Greenway will be closed, and signed diversions will be in place throughout the works.
Councillor Moses Crook, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport said:
“I’m delighted to see the improvement works on Spen Valley Greenway begin. This investment is a fantastic boost for the community, enhancing access for everyone whether they’re walking, cycling, using a wheelchair or pushing a pram. It’s a great step towards sustainable, inclusive travel and a healthier, more connected future for everyone.”
Mike Babbitt, England North Director for Sustrans said:
“Spen Valley Greenway is a popular section of Sustrans’ National Cycle Network that is well used and loved by the local community and visitors to the area.
“The greenway already brings people from across the community together to enjoy fresh air, exercise and green space in a safe, traffic-free environment. The new surface, lighting and access points mean more people will be able to use the greenway to access local facilities, public transport and enjoy leisurely trips into town.”
Kim Leadbeater MP for Spen Valley said:
“The Spen Valley Greenway is such a fantastic asset for us to have locally and I am so pleased to see that it is getting investment from WYCA and Kirklees Council as part of the Government’s £5.7 billion City Region Sustainable Transport programme. We should also see greater pedestrian traffic into Cleckheaton to take advantage of what the town centre has to offer. Active travel and accessibility are two of my passions and having them come together like this in Spen Valley is very exciting.”
When we’ll be on site
Work is due to start from Monday 9 June and is expected to take around six months to complete. The section of Spen Valley Greenway will be closed, and signed diversions will be in place throughout the works.
The improvements on Spen Valley Greenway, a former railway line that runs between Dewsbury and Oakenshaw, form part of Sustrans’s Paths for Everyone programme to create a high-quality National Cycle Network that everyone can access.
The project is a key part of the A638 Dewsbury – Cleckheaton Sustainable Travel Corridor, connecting communities to jobs, training, education and services in Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton and beyond.