Road closure to continue into 2025, drivers warned

The closure of a busy road between two West Yorkshire market towns due to emergency repairs to a damaged sewer will continue into the new year, drivers have been warned.

The A646 Halifax Road between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden has been closed in both directions at the junction with Stony Lane, at Charlestown, since 16 December.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water and Calderdale Council said the closure of that stretch of road would now remain in place until 6 January, rather than 24 December as originally thought.

"Unfortunately, the repair is very complex, and while we have been undertaking work, we have found a number of further complexities," they said.

More damage than expected to the council-owned culvert had been discovered, as well as an unmapped council-owned surface water sewer, while further work also needed on the damaged sewer, according to the spokesperson.

While Calderdale Council and Yorkshire Water were both "working closely to minimise disruption as much as possible", the road would not be reopened as planned on Christmas Eve, the spokesperson said.

"Teams will be working on-site 07:00 to 20:00 GMT daily, but will not be working on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to reduce disruption to residents living close to the repair," they added.

"Further Yorkshire Water work will be required in the future, but this will be done under two-way traffic lights.

"A shuttle bus is operating in the area to minimise the impact on residents nearby, but the diversion is expected to continue to cause disruption.

"Please consider your route before you travel and adhere to the official diversion. Thank you for your patience while we work."

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