NHS bosses in West Yorkshire have ridden roughshod over thousands of protesters’ views by announcing the closure of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary — including its accident and emergency unit — activists said yesterday.

The Greater Huddersfield and Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) voted unanimously last Thursday to close the hospital despite public opposition to the plans.

The 400-bed hospital, which opened in 1965 and serves a population of over 428,000 will now face demolition.

Its accident and emergency services are to be transferred to Calderdale Royal even though the main road linking Huddersfield and Halifax already suffers notorious congestion.

A smaller, 120-bed “planned care” unit will be built in Huddersfield.

Since the plans were announced in January, the public has mounted several demonstrations opposing the closure with a petition attracting over 130,000 signatures.

Campaigners argued that closing the hospital would put a dangerous strain on Calderdale hospital.

Mike Forster of campaign group Hands Off HRI said of the CCGs: “They have not listened to public interest.”

The group have vowed to continue the fight despite health chiefs going ahead with the plans.

The Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS trust that runs Huddersfield hospital claim that the move is the best option for both patient care and affordability.

The trust has faced financial difficulties since building the Calderdale Royal Infirmary in nearby Halifax with funds from a private contractor.

Although it received a loan of £64 million to build Calderdale hospital, by the time the money and interest is paid off it will have cost the taxpayer £773m — leaving the trust with a £280m funding gap.

Labour MP for Dewsbury and Mirfield, West Yorkshire, Paula Sherriff called on Health Minister Jeremy Hunt to reverse the decision to close Huddersfield.