This Instrument may be cited as the Borough Council of Calderdale (Elland Station and West Vale Access Package) (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund) (Calder and Hebble Navigation Bridge) Scheme 2022 Confirmation Instrument 2025 and shall come into force on the date on which notice that it has been confirmed is first published in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act.
The Borough Council of Calderdale (Elland Station and West Vale Access Package) (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund) (Calder and Hebble Navigation Bridge) Scheme 2022 Confirmation Instrument 2025
Published: Tue 25th Nov 25
The Secretary of State for Transport confirms the Borough Council of Calderdale’s Scheme, enacted under the Highways Act 1980, which authorizes the construction of a multi-span bridge over the Calder and Hebble Navigation.
This bridge is a component of the Elland Station and West Vale Access Package, intended to provide essential pedestrian and cycle access to the proposed Elland Rail Station from the north bank, while ensuring navigational requirements of the waterway are met.
Arguments For
Confirms necessary infrastructure for improved local connectivity, specifically linking Elland Rail Station access with West Vale via pedestrian and cycle routes.
Authorizes construction over navigable waters (Calder and Hebble Navigation) while respecting navigation requirements, ensuring minimal disruption to existing waterway use (maintaining 14 metres clear width).
Formalizes a project designed to benefit from significant government funding streams (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund), validating public investment in local transport infrastructure.
Provides a clear legal framework, based on the Highways Act 1980, for the Council to proceed with the authorized works.
Arguments Against
The local authority (Calderdale) is exercising significant powers under the Highways Act 1980 to construct a bridge, potentially overriding local interests if not properly consulted upon.
The construction involves placing permanent structures over a canal (Calder and Hebble Navigation), which might introduce new constraints or visual intrusion on the waterway environment, despite specified clearance maintenance.
Implementation requires coordination across multiple funding streams (Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund), which can lead to administrative complexities and potential scope creep or delays.
The document confirms a scheme made in February 2022, several years before the confirmation date in late 2025, potentially meaning the justifications and planning context may have evolved.
The Secretary of State for Transport, makes this Instrument in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 106(3) of the Highways Act 19801 (“the Act”) and now vested in the Secretary of State2.
In accordance with section 107(1) and (2) of that Act, the Secretary of State has taken into consideration the reasonable requirements of navigation over the waters affected and includes such plans and specifications as necessary.
The Secretary of State for Transport issues this legal instrument using authority granted by Section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980.
The Secretary of State confirms that they have addressed the necessary requirements for navigation safety and access over the affected waterway, incorporating required plans and specifications as mandated by Section 107(1) and (2) of that Act.
1.
This legal document is officially titled the Borough Council of Calderdale (Elland Station and West Vale Access Package) (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund) (Calder and Hebble Navigation Bridge) Scheme 2022 Confirmation Instrument 2025.
The Instrument becomes legally active on the day that confirmation notice is first published, following the process laid out in Schedule 2, paragraph 1, of the Highways Act 1980.
2.
The Borough Council of Calderdale (Elland Station and West Vale Access Package) (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund) (Calder and Hebble Navigation Bridge) Scheme 2022 (“the Scheme”) is hereby confirmed.
The specific construction project, known as the Borough Council of Calderdale (Elland Station and West Vale Access Package) (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund) (Calder and Hebble Navigation Bridge) Scheme 2022, receives formal confirmation through this Instrument.
3.
The Scheme as confirmed including its Schedule and plan are set out in the Schedule to this Instrument and copies of the Scheme with its accompanying plan are deposited at the offices of the Department for Transport, Deposited Documents Services, MHCLG, 1 Priory Square, Priory Street, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1EA.
The final, confirmed version of the Scheme, which includes its Schedule and engineering plans, is officially attached to this Instrument.
Inspectable copies of the Scheme and its associated plan are available for public review at the Department for Transport’s Deposited Documents Services office in Hastings.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Samantha Collins-Hill
Senior Civil Servant
Department for Transport
This section records the formal authentication of the Instrument.
It was signed on November 18, 2025, by Samantha Collins-Hill, a Senior Civil Servant acting under the authority of the Secretary of State for Transport in the Department for Transport.
SCHEDULETHE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF CALDERDALE (ELLAND STATION AND WEST VALE ACCESS PACKAGE) (WEST YORKSHIRE TRANSPORT FUND, TRANSFORMING CITIES FUND) (CALDER AND HEBBLE NAVIGATION BRIDGE) SCHEME 2022
THE HIGHWAYS ACT 1980
The Borough Council of Calderdale of Town Hall, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1UJ (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) make this Scheme in exercise of their powers under section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980 and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf -
1.
The Council are authorised to construct over the navigable waters of the Calder and Hebble Navigation the bridge specified in the Schedule to this Scheme as part of the highway which they are proposing to construct from the A6025 Park Road to Riverside Park (adjacent to Century Road), Halifax in the Borough of Calderdale for the purpose of providing a pedestrian and cycle access to the proposed Elland Rail Station from north of the Calder Hebble Navigation and West Vale.
2.
This Scheme may be cited as The Borough Council of Calderdale (Elland Station and West Vale Access Package) (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund) (Calder and Hebble Navigation Bridge) Scheme 2022.
THE COMMON SEAL of the | |
County Council | |
this 16th day of February 2022 | |
The Schedule details the basis of the Scheme under the Highways Act 1980, initiated by the Borough Council of Calderdale.
The Council is authorized to build a bridge over the Calder and Hebble Navigation.
This bridge is part of a larger highway project linking A6025 Park Road to Riverside Park to create pedestrian and cycle access to the new Elland Rail Station from West Vale and the area north of the navigation.
The Schedule also reiterates the short citation title for this Council Scheme, executed under its Common Seal on February 16, 2022.
THE SCHEDULE TO THE SCHEME
PLAN AND SPECIFICATION OF THE CALDER AND HEBBLE NAVIGATION BRIDGE
The location and general design of the Bridge are shown on the plan numbered BDX-JBAU-XX-EL-DR-LG-0001-A3-C06 Revision C06 and marked “The Borough Council of Calderdale (Elland Station and West Vale Access Package) (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund) (Calder and Hebble Navigation Bridge) Scheme 2022” marked with Acquiring Authority’s modifications and annexed hereto.
POINTS OF COMMENCEMENT AND TERMINATION
From a point on the north bank of the Calder and Hebble Navigation in Elland 149.9 metres northeast of the existing Elland Bridge to a point on the south bank of the River Calder in Elland 154.9 metres northeast of the existing Elland Bridge.
SPAN
A 4 span bridge totalling 118.26 metres, one span of which totalling 23.5 metres crosses the navigable waters of the Calder and Hebble Navigation.
HEADWAY
The soffit shall not be less than 3 metres above the towpath. The sofit is 3 metres above the 1 in 100 year approximate water level of the navigable waters.
WATERWAY
The existing 14 metres of clear width of the navigable waterway is to be maintained.
OVERALL DIMENSIONS
The bridge will be 4.46 metres wide. This incorporates 1.16 metres of parapets and a 3.3 metre shared footway/cycleway.
This section provides technical specifications detailing the bridge structure approved by the scheme.
The precise location and design are referenced in a specific plan document (BDX-JBAU-XX-EL-DR-LG-0001-A3-C06 Revision C06).
The bridge starts 149.9 meters northeast of the existing Elland Bridge on the north bank and terminates 154.9 meters northeast of the existing Elland Bridge on the south bank of the River Calder.
The structure will have four spans totaling 118.26 meters, with one span specifically crossing the navigation waters measuring 23.5 meters.
Vertical clearance (headway) must be at least 3 meters above the towpath and 3 meters above the predicted 1-in-100-year flood level.
Crucially, the existing 14 meters of clear width for the waterway must be preserved.
The bridge deck will measure 4.46 meters wide, accommodating a 3.3-meter shared foot and cycle path, plus 1.16 meters for parapets.
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