Brighouse is the second largest town in the
metropolitan district of Calderdale in the county of West Yorkshire,
England. Local Nearby villages and suberbs include Brookfoot, Bailiff
Bridge, Clifton, Hove Edge, Hipperholme, Lightcliffe and Rastrick. The
2001 census gave the town's population as 32,198. The town is situated
on the River Calder, 4 miles (6 km) east of Halifax in the Pennines. It
is served by Junction 25 of the M62. It's location along the M62
corridor has led to a property boom in recent times due to the
accessibility to Major commercial /industrial centres such as Leeds,
Bradford, Manchester and Huddersfield.
In prehistoric times, there was a ford called Snake Hill Ford across the
Calder - this was part of the Roman route between Wakefield and
Manchester.
A wooden structure called Rastrick Bridge was recorded as being present
in 1275. The bridge was replaced by one built with timber donated by
John Hanson in 1514. Hanson's son funded a stone replacement for this
bridge in 1558.
The river provided power for the flour milling industry and the textile
mills. Brighouse's industry received a boost through the construction of
the
Calder and Hebble Navigation, started in 1757 by the engineer John
Smeaton.
The Halifax and Huddersfield Turnpike Act of 1823 allowed for the
building of Calder Bridge over what was to become the A641 road ; tolls
were abolished on
the bridge in 1875 and extensive widening work in was undertaken in 1905
and 1999 (both of these latter dates being commemorated in dedication
stones on the
bridge).
Brighouse is an area, in the so called
"golden triangle" commuter belt between Halifax, Ripponden and Brighouse
(entailing Elland, Stainland, Holywell Green and Greetland). At the
moment, due to its proximity to the M62 motorway, there is an extensive
programme of renovation of Brighouse mills, being renovated into loft
style apartments. Recent high quality developments have taken advantage
of the areas well regarded location, being especially close to the M62
motorway and ideal for commuting to Leeds.