Priorities questioned over funding for town

BATLEY COUNCILLORS SAY HUDDERSFIELD’S GEORGE HOTEL HAS HAD TWICE AS MUCH INVESTMENT AS THEIR WHOLE PROJECT

- By ABIGAIL MARLOW

BATLEY East ward councillors have criticised the council’s plan for investment in their town as final designs are unveiled.

Batley is the subject of a £14.5m investment, set to transform the town’s public realm in areas including Western, Middle and Eastern Commercial Street, Brunswick Street and Market Place. The council says the final plans, which were revealed last week, will significantly enhance accessibility, calm traffic, improve safety and create new public spaces.

Twelve million pounds of the project’s funding is coming from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, supported by approximately £2.5m from Kirklees Council's Local Centres funding and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.