Esh transforms Highbury School car park

Pupils, staff and transport operators at Highbury School in Elland are benefiting from a safer and more accessible environment following a series of improvements funded through the YOR4Good initiative.

As part of the Elland Access Stage 2 Project, almost £17,000 of in-kind support was provided through the YOR4Good fund, with works delivered by Esh Construction in partnership with Jaggers Construction. The Elland Access Package is a £22 million infrastructure project funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (via the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and the Transforming Cities Fund) and delivered in partnership with Calderdale Council.

The project focused on transforming the school’s car park, which had become increasingly difficult to use due to an uneven surface, potholes and growing traffic demands. Works included resurfacing the existing car park, repairing damaged areas, improving accessibility, and introducing new parking arrangements and road markings. The improvements were completed between 24 August and 3 September 2026.

Highbury School supports children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), many of whom rely on specialist transport to attend school. Around 90 pupils travel to and from the site each day using Calderdale transport minibuses.

The need for improvements was identified following discussions with the school regarding longstanding accessibility and safety concerns. Since transport drop-off arrangements were relocated to the current area around a decade ago, pupil numbers have increased significantly from 60 to 156, placing additional pressure on the space and creating challenges for vehicles, staff and visitors.

Debbie Sweet, Head Teacher at Highbury School, said: “This has been something the school has wanted to achieve for many years, but funding pressures meant it was difficult to prioritise. The difference the new car park has made is significant. Many of our pupils arrive by specialist transport and some are profoundly disabled or wheelchair users. These improvements make a real difference to their daily experience at school, while also enhancing safety and increasing parking capacity for staff and visitors.”

Before the works were carried out, the condition of the surface made journeys uncomfortable for pupils and created difficulties for transport providers deploying wheelchair ramps. The lack of clearly defined parking spaces also contributed to congestion during busy drop-off and pick-up periods.

Through the support of the YOR4Good fund, the improvements have created a smoother, safer and more accessible environment for everyone using the site. The upgraded surface helps improve access for pupils arriving in specialist vehicles, while the introduction of marked parking bays and clear road markings supports better traffic management and a safer experience for staff, visitors and transport operators.

Recognising the importance of providing a safe and accessible start to the school day for vulnerable young people, Esh Construction committed to supporting the school with the improvement initiative.

Delivering the Improvements

The works were delivered by Esh Constructions Civils team, in partnership with Jaggers Construction, through an in-kind donation of labour, materials, plants and project management support.

Key improvements included:

• Improving access by adjusting kerb levels and preparing the area for resurfacing
• Repairing damaged and uneven sections of the car park
• Reconstructing areas that had become worn and sunken through years of use
• Resurfacing the entire car park to provide a smooth level surface
• Creating a more organising parking layout through new bay markings
• Refreshing road markings to improve traffic management and pedestrian safety.

  

The smoother surface enables safer deployment of wheelchair ramps, providing a more comfortable journey for pupils in specialist vehicles. Reducing discomfort and anxiety associated with transport helps students arrive at school more regulated and better prepared for learning in the day.  The introduction of parking bays and clear road markings has also enhanced safety for students, staff and visitors – reducing congestion and supporting better flow of traffic during busy drop off and pick up periods.

Megan Simpson, Social Value Manager at Esh Construction, said: “This project is a great example of how social value can create a lasting impact within local communities. Through our work on the Elland Access Package, we were able to provide additional investment that addresses a real need at Highbury School. The improvements will benefit pupils, staff, visitors and transport providers for many years to come, while helping to create a safer and more accessible environment for everyone using the site.”

Councillor Darren Commons, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Calderdale Council, said: “As part of our wider investment in improving transport and connectivity across Elland and West Vale, it’s fantastic to see additional benefits being delivered for the local community through Esh’s social value commitments. The improvements at Highbury School were much needed and will make a huge difference. It’s an excellent example of partnership working delivering added value at no extra cost to the public purse.”

To maintain the legacy, Highbury School have committed to incorporating the area into its planned preventative maintenance programme, grounds maintenance budget and reactive maintenance arrangements, ensuring investment continues to support students for years to come.

The Highbury School project forms part of Esh’s commitment to delivering social and economic value alongside its construction activities, ensuring communities benefit beyond the core infrastructure works being delivered across the region.