A new M62 exit at Outlane remains a possibility.

But Highways England say it’s an option beyond their current five-year plan.

An officer has offered insight into logistical problems with adding additional slip roads at junction 23.

Concerns follow huge delays in recent accidents - including one which led to 19-mile tailbacks after a lorry crash near Junction 21.

The scene on the M62 in between J21 Milnrow and J22 Rishworth Moor

A study has been commissioned but in a response to an Examiner reader about the possibility of using Lindley Moor Road or the Old Lindley Road area on the Elland side of the M62, the Highways England officer explained it would involve demolishing houses at Mount or dealing with troublesome topography, both uneconomical.

Instead, Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency) are conducting a feasibility study for a Junction 24a near Bradley Bar.

A Highways England spokeswoman said: “Highways England is always looking at the potential to improve the M62 and J23 is no exception to that. The Highways England Delivery Plan issued in December 2014 sets out our capital investment programme for the next five years.

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“We are considering options for providing additional slips roads at junction 23 at Outlane as one of several options for future improvements beyond the current five year plan, but this is still being discussed and is at a very early stage.

Traffic near Outland after the M62 was closed between Chain Bar and Brighouse

“In regards to creating a new junction between junction 24 and 25 to improve connectivity in this area, we are working closely with both Kirklees and Calderdale Councils on feasibility studies which are still ongoing.”

In a letter to an Examiner reader, who offered options for improvement, a Highways England asset manager set out reasons why using Lindley Moor Road and the area around Middle Haigh House and Kew Hill area would troublesome.

Standing traffic on the eastbound carriageway of the M62 at Outlane.

It says: “Lindley Moor Road is very close to the M62 so there is no room to accommodate an additional off-slip within the existing highway layout.

“To facilitate this proposal would require either re-aligning the M62 to the north or demolishing part of the Mount housing estate to move Lindley Moor Road to the south. Clearly neither of these suggestions would be either economical or easy to implement.”

In relation to a loop off-slip road over the M62, the officer says: “...this would seem uneconomical and extremely difficult to implement, given the existing topography.”

In a route-based strategy report, Highways England say: “There currently exists no local high capacity alternative strategic trans-Pennine route on which to divert road users should the M62 become unavailable due to an incident, road works or a severe weather event, leading to congestion on local roads adjacent to the corridor when such closures occur.”

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Does Junction 23 need an 'off' slip road?