Copley Valley: A Glimpse of Transformation in 2014

In March 2014, the Copley Valley in Calderdale, just east of Sowerby Bridge, was a landscape in flux. Once known as Milner Royd, this area was undergoing a significant redevelopment, transforming from its industrial past into a mix of industrial, housing, and nature reserve spaces.

The images captured in 2014 provide a fascinating snapshot of this transition. Prior to the redevelopment, Milner Royd was home to the remains of the Sowerby Bridge Sewage Works, a large dam that was a popular spot for anglers until its drainage, the Sterne Bridge (built in 1914), and the old Standard Wire Factory. It was also an area rich in wildlife and nature, bordered by the railway to the south, the River Calder splitting it down the middle, and the Calder & Hebble Navigation Canal to the north.

The Changing Landscape

The development was well underway in 2014, with a new road and bridge already constructed. Much of the land was set aside for the building of new industrial units. The scene shows the wet, muddy ground, indicative of recent earthworks, with the freshly laid road cutting through the landscape. This stark image contrasts with the more natural, albeit muddy, appearance of the valley before intensive development.

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Copley Valley Nature Reserve, The picture was taken looking west with
my back towards Copley Viaduct. 

Copley Valley, this area which had been cleared for industrial units and
the new access road was the site of Sowerby Bridge Sewage Works opened
in 1896. The road passes over what was the dam, the water that filled it now
underground to the River Calder.

Enduring Structures and Fading Eras

Amidst the changes, some older structures remained, offering a glimpse into the area's railway heritage. The Milner Royd Bridge, with its sturdy stone arches, stands as a testament to the enduring railway infrastructure. This bridge has since been closed to the public.

Further along the railway line, the Milner Royd Signal Box was still operational in 2014, although it would close just four years later in 2018. This small, distinctive building played a vital role in managing the railway traffic at Milner Royd Junction, where the line splits towards Brighouse and Halifax.

Another notable feature from this period is the Hollas Lane Arch Bridge. This stone arch bridge, where the railway line divides, is another example of the area's historical railway architecture, standing firm amidst the surrounding development.

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The Copley Valley project represents a significant chapter in Calderdale's history, balancing industrial growth with the preservation of natural spaces. The 2014 images serve as a valuable record of this ambitious transformation, capturing a moment when the past was giving way to a new future for Milner Royd.

Hollas Lane Railway Bridge, built circa 1840 to carry the Manchester and
Leeds Railway over Hollas Lane.

Milner Royd Bridge carries Milner Royd Lane over the railway, closed
to the public by gates at both ends, the bridge used to be one of the main
walking / packhorse routes down from Norland to the valley bottom.

Milner Royd Signal Box, was still in operation when I took this picture
in 2014, closing in the summer of 2018. The box had been built in 1876 to
control the junction to the right of the picture where trains head off in the
directions of Brighouse or Halifax.

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