Rising project costs driven by inflation and national financial volatility means a major multi-million pound leisure centre project in Calderdale has been put on ice.

Two more major projects, involving transport scheme partnerships with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, are also almost certain to be placed on hold in the coming weeks.

Building a new major leisure centre for the borough on the site of the one currently being demolished at North Bridge, Halifax, which would include Calderdale’s major swimming pool, is a major casualty.

Other projects which are almost certain to be paused include the Halifax Rail Station Gateway scheme, including a new access bridge.

Councillors stress projects are being paused, not abandoned.

The leisure centre scheme will be on ice for at least a year, estimate senior councillors, with inflation pushing up costs by a further £4 million over recent weeks.

Energy costs, and possibility the cost of living crisis will affect numbers using the new centre if it opened sooner, also informed the decision.

Calderdale Council Deputy Leader, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot), said: “While we think the people deserve really good facilities, we cannot endanger the council’s budget.

“We don’t want to give the impression we are just pausing for a few months and every-thing will be hunky dory – I can’t imagine the economic volatility will disappear in 12 months.”