Residents to have say on town's cycle lane plans

Residents will be invited to have their say on new options for controversial cycle lanes in a West Yorkshire town after concerns were raised about the initial plans.

Calderdale Council released plans for the Active Todmorden project to encourage more people to walk or cycle.

But the authority said it would engage with the public after residents in Facebook groups raised concerns over the impact on parking and local businesses, particularly around the Patmos Gardens area on Burnley Road.

The council said it would hold public sessions in Todmorden Market next month, with dates and times to be confirmed.

The Active Todmorden cycle lanes project is one of eight proposed under the £17.5m Town Deal scheme funded by the government and overseen by Todmorden Town Board.

The council said it would "improve access for all" and aimed to make cycling part of people's everyday lives.

Members of Facebook groups Tod Citizens Against Town Deal Cycle Lane & Parking Projects and Todmorden Moving Forward have both cited safety concerns and negative impacts on parking and businesses.

Meanwhile, an online petition in favour of the cycle lane scheme has gained more than 900 signatures, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Sarah Courtney, cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: "It’s really important that we get the right scheme for Todmorden.

"We know some people have concerns about the scheme in its current form [and] as the project lead we will now review how this particular section fits with the other parts of the scheme and explore alternative options for that particular location so we can deliver a scheme that works for the programme and for Todmorden."

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