‘Crackpot’ Manchester Road bus lane costing £1m gets go-ahead

Feb 2 2010 By Barry Gibson

Cabinet member for transport Clr Peter McBride told the meeting that most of the £950,000 was not for the lane itself.

The scheme also includes resurfacing work and a computerised traffic signal system known as SCOOT – Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique – at the Longroyd Bridge junction.

The Dalton Labour man said: "The cost of drawing a line on the road is negligible. This is much more than a bus lane. It includes the cost of an intelligent traffic light system which responds to congestion levels.

"This is very much welcome."

Bus company First welcomed the decision yesterday, saying it would help up to 20 of their vehicles an hour save a minimum of two minutes per journey at peak times.

Dave Alexander, managing director for First in West Yorkshire, said: "We fully support Kirklees Council’s intention to implement a bus-only lane on Manchester Road.

"The council should be applauded for making the bold move that tackles the very real twin threats of local road congestion and the adverse impact of excessive traffic on the environment.

"I suspect some car drivers in the area will not be happy with this proposal but it is important they realise that the council is working extremely hard to find new and innovative ideas to reduce the amount of congestion that we all face on roads in and around Huddersfield."

The lane will operate 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and will also be open to cyclists.