Sowerby Bridge Public Realm Vison

Client: Calderdale Council

Location: West Yorkshire

Cost: N/A

Project Type: Public Realm / Regeneration

Through West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) infrastructure investment, namely the £67.8M Corridor Improvement Programme (Phase 1) for the A58/A672, Calderdale council have provided a window of opportunity for dramatic, much deserved, wider public realm improvements; within the historic mill town of Sowerby Bridge. The public realm improvements, centred on Healthy Streets and Green Street agendas, utilise a place-specific approach and will rejuvenate the town, increasing liveability and sense of place. XQLA led the multi-disciplinary master planning team commissioned to develop proposals for the town centre in March 2019. The strategy intends to make much more of the River Calder, the River Ryburn and the Rochdale Canal to ensure that people on foot or in vehicles are acutely aware of the presence and magnetism of the water in the town. This, in turn, draws people to the heritage and leisure opportunities of the town and away from the major thoroughfare of the A58.