Hard Ings Road - The difference 12 months can make

In April 2019, we commenced work as main contractor on Bradford Council’s exciting new Hard Ings Road improvement scheme in Keighley. Upon completion, these improvement works will see the existing road widened into a dual carriageway and the implementation of an extra lane on Beechcliffe Roundabout to ensure a reduction in congestion and an increase in road safety.

We are nearing the final phases of work at Hard Ings Road, and thought it would be a great idea to show the progress made over the past 12 months. Below are images taken in July 2019 compared with images taken in July 2020 to highlight the fantastic improvements that are taking shape along Hard Ings Road and Beechcliffe Roundabout.

Beechcliffe Roundabout

Howard Civil Engineering have significantly reduced the diameter of Beechcliffe Roundabout, undertaking earthworks to remove the existing roundabout kerb line and subsequently increase the carriageway width. The roundabout is currently top soiled, but residents and commuters can expect it to be beautifully landscaped by Bradford Council once planting season commences.

The traffic islands and central reservations have been remodelled to complement the new roundabout whilst maintaining the same manoeuvres and capacity as before. Motorists entering the roundabout from the A629 will notice that there also are now two dedicated left-turn lanes!

Below ground, we have installed a new drainage system for the roundabout including gullies, chambers, and an attenuation tank.

Beechcliffe Roundabout has also been given a fresh new look with the installation of new kerbing, asphalt surfacing completion, new road markings, traffic signs, and street lighting.

Bradford Road Roundabout

Although the main kerb line leading from Hard Ings Road to Bradford Road Roundabout has remained in a similar position to the original alignment, we have reshaped the footpath, installed footpath drainage channels and introduced a new storm water sewer below ground to serve the new features. During our time on site, Howard Civil Engineering have also undertaken extensive diversion works to the utility companies’ apparatus which were located in this area.

Hard Ings Road

In the images above, you can see the fantastic improvements made to the width of Hard Ings Road leading from Beechcliffe Roundabout to Keighley Ambulance Station.

This is particularly evident outside the Fibreline manufacturing facility. All properties and buildings along this strip will have been/will be subject to accommodation works before the scheme is complete.

The improvement works have included the construction of sheet piled retaining walls faced with natural stone walls, stone boundary walls, a new carriageway and new footways. Howard Civil Engineering also carried out earthworks to remove the existing kerb line, assisted multiple utility diversions and established a new drainage system (including large diameter attenuation pipework) in addition to providing new traffic signs and street lighting.

The scheme for the Hard Ings Road is being developed by the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC). The scheme has received investment through the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund as part of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.