Ainley Top Bridge

The sketch and description are from The Calderdale Sketch Book by JL Berbiers, published in 1973 by The Halifax Courier Ltd. The way into Elland over Ainley Top runs through the massive arch of the Whitehaughs Bridge which carries the six lanes of the Pennine motorway along Elland’s southern boundary. It is a dramatic approach, especially at night to drive through the brilliantly lit cavern to emerge to a breath-taking view of the myriad lights of Elland, Halifax and the Calder Valley stretching far below. Much of the M62 has, of course, been boldly and dramatically landscaped and the elliptically shaped arch of Whitehaughs Bridge, spanning one of the historical routes into Elland, shows that technological progress can add another dimension to the environment. PH/25.