Backing for new town traffic strategy

Jan 24 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CAR sharing lanes and congestion charges could be coming to Kirklees.

Councillors voted to support a cross-party transport motion.

It mentions high-occupancy vehicle lanes, restrictions on car use and charging measures as ways to fight congestion.

At peak times traffic moves at just 9mph on the Wakefield Road between Huddersfield town centre and Waterloo.

From the town centre to Cooper Bridge along the Leeds Road, cars travel at an average of 8mph.

Clr Peter McBride helped draft the motion.

The Dalton Labour man said: “We have a massive problem and a massive challenge which is very urgent. Huddersfield and Leeds are being strangled by congestion.”

Clr McBride wants all parties to co-operate when making tough decisions.

He said: “We know that charging and restricting the motorist will not be popular.”

Clr John Smithson, who also helped draft the motion, suggested any congestion charges would be a long way off.

The Almondbury Lib Dem said: “The chances are road-charging won’t come into anyone’s thinking in Kirklees for years. But as a last resort, if nothing else works, we’re prepared to consider it.”

Clr Donald Firth told the meeting that bus services had to improve.

The Holme Valley South Conservative said: “We need to get the bus companies onboard because public transport is virtually non-existent in some areas. There are 150 cars picking up children from Holmfirth High School because of changes to the bus service there.”

But Clr Dave Sheard suggested that councillors themselves should set an example. The Heckmondwike Labour man said: “We could take away our car parking rights.”

All 64 councillors at the meeting voted for the joint Lib Dem, Labour and Conservative motion. Kirklees officers will now draw up a detailed transport plan.