Main repairs to a key local route are expected to begin in May.

Park Road, which links Elland and Brighouse, was severely damaged by flooding in February 2020 and following the landslip has been closed since.

A 50-metre long crack and some smaller tension cracks in the road meant that it had to be fully closed for safety reasons, says Calderdale Council, who sealed the crack when it was safe to do so after the flooding, to prevent further weakening of the slope.

The council continued monitoring the road and seeking funding to pay for what it says is a complicated repair.

Specialist contractor, Esh Construction Ltd, has now been appointed to carry out the complex repairs, following the council being successfully awarded £1.8 million from the Government’s Getting Building Fund following approval from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority at the start of March.

Site investigations and ground clearing are expected to begin in mid-April, with the main repairs due to start in May.

These will take around 16 weeks, depending on the outcome of site investigations, the weather and Covid restrictions, says the council

As well as its role as a key linking highway, Park Road also serves the site of the proposed Elland Rail Station.

£95m road project described as 'key scheme' for region

In addition to the road repairs, the Getting Building funding will also be used to create new pedestrian and cycling facilities to link with the proposed new rail station and Elland town centre, said the council’s Director of Regeneration and Strategy, Shelagh O’Neill.

“We’re really pleased that work can soon begin to repair and reopen Park Road.

“We know this is a major route for local people and that its closure has caused a lot of disruption.

“The closure was essential because of the massive damage that Storm Ciara sadly caused in February 2020.

“Our teams have been working very hard to carry out complex site investigations and arrange major repairs.

“Thanks to our successful bid for Government funding and the appointment of Esh Construction as contractor, we can soon get to work on the reconstruction and new walking and cycling facilities,” she said.