Tuesday, 22 April 2025
MP calls for rethink on Keighley Road closure
Bradford Council plans to close the A6033 road bettween Hebden Bridge and Oxenhope for 4 months over the summer period, from 2 June until the end of September. As part of the works, Bradford Council are proposing a signed diversion via Halifax - which will take an additional 45 minutes.
During this time, while the road will be closed to motor traffic, pedestrians and cyclists will still have access..
The closure is to carry out important improvement works to three culverts under the road. But - these works have been in the pipeline for years.
MP for Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore, has described the closure as 'absolute lunacy'.
"It is sheer madness that Bradford Council are planning on carrying out the works this year - during the all important 'District of Culture' year in which Bradford Council and the 'City of Culture' are spending huge amounts of taxpayers' money on events in Keighley and across the Worth Valley over the summer period aimed at attracting visitors to our area, and then decide to close one of the main roads into our area for a full four month period, over the busiest time of the year.
"It's just nonsensical!!!"
Rebecca Poulson has written on the Oxenhope Facebook page, "Unfortunately, they have tried to look at options using temporary lights but the road has to be removed as the culverts run under it. They are starting to fail and if they suddenly collapsed the road would collapse too, so the work does need doing. With the location it can't be carried out in the winter and they have to wait until after ground nesting bird season."
Update: It is reported on the Keighley Road Facebook page that, following representations, "the closure of our road is now anticipated to last for 7 weeks (2 June to 18 July) as opposed to 4 months. For the remainder of the period, there will be 3 sets of traffic lights."
See also: