Calderdale Council in West Yorkshire has signalled sizeable investment in its roads network, highlighting the tension between budget deficits, and pressing connectivity targets.

Over £14M is set to be invested in Calderdale’s highways network over the next 12 months, with the proposed work plan shortly to be assesed by the Council’s Cabinet. The funding includes a newly allocated £1.87M boost from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to tackle potholes and resurface roads.

Calderdale Council said its roads strategy is critical to achieving modal shift because West Yorkshire’s steep valleys and historic layouts make road widening unfeasible. Instead, the council is planning to actively reallocate existing road space, manage parking demand, and prioritise active travel and public transport on the current network

The Council’s Cabinet is working from the Highways Capital Maintenance Programme Report 2025/26 – 2026/27 as the basis of its plans.

The report outlines the different sources of funding which the Council has received and how the money will be allocated to improve the highways network. It recommends that the council’s cabinet approve the CRSTS (City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements) Programme for the financial year 2025/26 – 2026/27 detailed in the report to allow the relevant Funding Agreements to be signed by the Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

It states: “High quality highway infrastructure is essential for the behavioural change required to encourage and embed modal shift, to provide access to reliable public transport services, and attractive and safe cycling and walking routes. Good quality highway infrastructure will be essential in meeting the ambitious targets for carbon reduction and support objectives for biodiversity and ecology as set out in our Climate Action Plan.”

The report notes that “increases in inflation have impacted on every facet of the construction industry. Compounding this issue, supply chain disruptions have led to significant shortages and delays in obtaining various items and materials.”

It notes that “there remains the possibility that unexpected expenses and delays, exceeding the anticipated levels, could affect the overall programme as outlined in this report.”

“In light of the funding constraints, the highway network is being managed as a deteriorating asset, meaning that resources must be prioritised to slow decline rather than achieve significant improvements.

“As a result, spending has been directed towards mitigating further deterioration of the unclassified road network while ensuring that A-roads remain safe and functional as key routes within the network. However, this is not a sustainable model and it is hoped that additional funding for highway maintenance is secured in the next spending review period.”

Of the £14M, almost £10M would be directed to carriageway and footway repairs, covering carriageway resurfacing, road patching, surface dressing and footway reconstruction. The locations included in the programme of work have been identified through assessments, with considerations including traffic volumes, the importance of routes within the network, levels of usage, and the need to maintain access to essential local services such as the hospital, GP surgeries and community facilities.

Over £2M would be invested in highways structures and drainage, with works proposed at a number of historic viaducts and raised structures, and improvements to drainage.

The remaining £2.2M would be spent on a range of projects across the borough aimed at improving the highway network. This includes smaller-scale maintenance; improving the extensive network of public rights of way in Calderdale; creating safer roads; and upgrading signals.

Calderdale Council cabinet member for highways and transport Darren Commons, said:

“We’re committed to delivering on the services which really matter to local people and one of our priorities is improving the condition of roads across the borough.

“We all want to get from A to B as quickly and efficiently as possible, and through the annual highways maintenance programme we’ll be focusing on the most used routes, or those that serve important community facilities.

The Council’s highway asset includes 290 recognised structures, comprising 207 carriageway bridges, 16 footbridges, 61 culverts with a span greater than 1.5m, six subways, and approximately 730 kilometres of highway walls. In addition, there are 53 culverts with a span of less than 1.5m, though these are not included in the official count. Vehicular bridges are subject to regular inspections, with general inspections conducted every two years and more detailed principal inspections every five years.

Commons concluded: “We’ll also be looking at the condition of our many bridges, retaining walls and other structures that make up the highways network. The situation is challenging, but we’re determined to improve our network and put the needs of road users and local communities first.”

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