Kirklees Council approves transfer of power to lead on major junction upgrades
At a meeting held this week (Tuesday 24 March) Kirklees councillors approved transferring responsibility of the A62 Cooper Bridge Improvement Scheme wholly to Kirklees Council.
The A62 Cooper Bridge junction is one of the busiest transport corridors in the district and is the primary link between Huddersfield and North Kirklees, and Huddersfield and Leeds via the M62.
Why the transfer was requested
The land where the scheme will be delivered spans the boundaries for both Kirklees and Calderdale Councils. To ensure the programme is managed effectively and funding is used efficiently, Kirklees Council sought the transfer of certain executive powers and functions from Calderdale Council.
The approved approach will avoid duplicated work and unnecessary costs, ensuring a consistent and coordinated approach to the delivery of a vital scheme.
Following the decision, a further consultation will take place in summer 2026, swiftly followed by the planning application submission and construction expected to begin in in 2028.
David Shepherd, Executive Director for Place at Kirklees Council said:
“The Cooper Bridge junction is one of the most valuable gateways into Kirklees. This improvement scheme is vital for providing better connections to education, employment and leisure opportunities across West Yorkshire and the north of England and will create more opportunities for investment in housing and business development.”
The improvements proposed at Cooper Bridge
The proposals include introducing a signalled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists, a segregated cycle lane and upgrades to the footways and highways.
The improvements aim to reduce congestion, improve local air quality, bus journey times and reliability, better road safety for everyone, increase opportunities for Active Travel, and support regional growth by unlocking new housing and employment land.
Part of a wider programme of road improvements across Kirklees and is funded through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire-plus Transport fund.
More information
More information about the scheme is available online: A62 to Cooper Bridge Corridor Improvement Scheme | Kirklees Council