Calder Valley Greenway closed for four years!!?

[Dadam]

The planned route for my ride on Saturday included the Calder Valley Greenway through Dewsbury, but it was closed, properly fenced off and impassable, where it passes under the railway line. The sign said it was closed from May 2023 for the Transpennine route upgrade

I noticed no indication of how long it was intended to be, and I thought three years seemed an awful long time for a route to be closed, but no it's over 4! Google suggests until September 2027!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uZmvYyF3yWZ83Unn8

 

[Milzy]

Why? This is a disgrace.

 

[Dadam]

Why? This is a disgrace.

It is indeed. I know the Transpennine rail route desperately needs the upgrade but you'd think they could do the works for that crossing in a shorter time. Even to do it in a few stages with more shorter closures would be a lot better.

 

[DCLane]

The project is running well behind schedule. I've been down that path to check progress and the bridge it's closed for hasn't progressed since the middle of last year; the structure has been sat rusting on both sides without being connected. Therefore there was no need to keep the path closed.

There's a signed diversion which takes the route round a back road.

 

[Dadam]

There's a signed diversion which takes the route round a back road.

I wouldn't say signed. Even partially signed is a stretch.

There was one sign I saw that said diversion and indicated a direction along a back alley but then nothing more. I managed to find the way back by dead reckoning as the Edge Explore 2 is not great at on the fly rerouting, especially when it doesn't know about a closure. I don't know if this was the intended route but it went through a set of 3 way control traffic light roadworks at the junction of Thornhill Rd which would have been unpleasant for someone less confident around traffic.

 

[DCLane]

I wouldn't say signed. Even partially signed is a stretch.

The diversion was to the left of your yellow sign, up the Scout Hill Road hill shown in your first photo, re-joining at the next main road. It's not bad.

There is an alternative longer diversion which isn't needed that goes via Thornhill Road and the closed railway bridge.

 

[Dadam]

The diversion was to the left of your yellow sign, up the Scout Hill Road hill shown in your first photo, re-joining at the next main road. It's not bad.

There is an alternative longer diversion which isn't needed that goes via Thornhill Road and the closed railway bridge.

I saw that one sign, but no more indication of where it went.

 

[classic33]

Spoke to/with Network Rail, and the only work they have ongoing at that point is due to finish on the 31st July this year.

They have no details of any other work planned in that area of the greenway.

 

[DCLane]

@classic33 - they have leased a section of land from Kirklees which backs onto the closed section of Greenway. I'm guessing Kirklees wants time to put fences back. That'll take ages ...

 

[classic33]

@classic33 - they have leased a section of land from Kirklees which backs onto the closed section of Greenway. I'm guessing Kirklees wants time to put fences back. That'll take ages ...

Fair enough, I'd have thought any fences requiring replacement would be down to Network Rail.

Council could take for ever to replace them.