The Upper Calder Valley, covering Walsden, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Sowerby Bridge, was the first cluster of towns to be included in the RMT programme early in 2003. Work is underway to progress projects in four of the towns in the valley. The main transformational projects are:

• Development of Bramsche Square to provide a new public space and mixed use quarter for the town. The aim is to create a new heart to the town centre
• Fielden Wharf is one of the first projects to be delivered as part of the Upper Calder Valley Renaissance Market Towns Programme.  A long derelict building in the conservation area of Todmorden, adjacent to Fielden Wharf, was demolished and replaced with a high quality landscaping scheme at a key gateway to Todmorden.  The scheme was designed by Calderdale Council and local volunteer groups, Todmorden Pride and Todmorden in Bloom.   The Wharf now includes moorings and has been enhanced by sculptures and decorative panels designed by the town artist, local children and produced by a local craftsman.  The access and vistas to the canal have also been improved and it has provided a much enjoyed public open air amenity.
• Hebden Bridge, known for its unique environment and shopping experience, has seen its town centre transformed. Narrow pavements and conflicts with traffic are things of the past.  Visitors can now relax in the town square, pavement cafes and sit watching street performers.  There are wavy steps leading to the river and stone sculptures signifying the town's heritage.  The central feature is a large sundial in the centre of the square.  A fustian knife forms the gnomon - a symbol of the town's industrial heritage.
• Re-location and transformation of the market in Sowerby Bridge, to a new prominent site in the town centre.
• More than 14 hectares of brownfield land in the Sowerby Bridge Copley Valley area will be developed to provide a range of new housing and office/industrial units.  New road infrastructure works, including canal  and river bridges, will ensure that the new development is successfully linked to the town centre.
  
  Additional projects within the development plans for Sowerby Bridge include the transformation of the railway station into an eco-station, hydro-electricity generation at Copley Weir, the creation of waterside footpaths and cycle routes, and public open space.
• The Total investment in the Upper Calder Valley is £2.911M.