Ainley Top

Ainley Top is a large roundabout at the intersection of the A629 and A643. It also carries an unnumbered primary route spur from the M62 and the village of Blackley and was opened in 1973 as part of the M62 works in this area, forming junction 24 of the motorway.

The original road layout here was grade separated with the A643 going over the A629 and a link road between them. When the M62 opened it was modified into the current layout, leaving the original road through Ainley Top village for local traffic but canny locals can still rat-run through the village. The Elland Bypass is younger than the junction, opening in 1976, and this resulted in the current issues the junction faces today.

Owing to its location and since it forms the main connection for both Huddersfield and Halifax it is today one of the busiest roundabouts in Yorkshire. Queues can occur at most times of the day with lengthy queues on all approaches. This has had an effect on the casualty rate leaving the roundabout as a serious site for concern.

In the early 2010s the junction was fully signalised which has had a positive effect on queues by removing the blocking effect of the dominant flows across the junction.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
M62	Brighouse, Leeds
M62	Oldham, Manchester
A629	Elland, Halifax
A629	Huddersfield
A643	Rochdale (A640)
A643	Brighouse
	Blackley