HCS to have its say on Network Rail’s Huddersfield railway improvements

Former warehouse at Huddersfield Railway Station with Transpennine Express train. Photo by Andy Hirst from AH! PR.

Huddersfield Civic Society is now guaranteed representation, together with Huddersfield Unlimited, at the intended public enquiry this autumn on Network Rail’s scheme to electrify and substantially improve the Transpennine rail route between Huddersfield and Westtown in Dewsbury.
 
This is to help ensure the scheme is used to improve and regenerate the area around Huddersfield station, as described in the Station Gateway elements of Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield Blueprint.
 
On July 6 we submitted a formal Statement of Case (please see attached document) which describes the need to include in the scheme substantially more parking for car users and better, well-lit routes for walkers and cyclists into and across both sides of Huddersfield station.
 
The Society particularly wants the rail scheme to be used as an opportunity to open up the woefully underused area around the station warehouse and link it, via the station, to St George’s Square.
 
Our comments complement those of other organisations, including Kirklees Council and the Kirklees Cycling campaign.
 
The submission has since been formally acknowledged and the Society, together with Huddersfield Unlimited, is now confirmed as one of the oral participants at any public enquiry.
 
Thanks to those in both HCS and HU who contributed to the submission.