Huddersfield bus lane plan not welcomed

Feb 6 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Huddersfield bus lane plan not welcomed

But when this point was raised to bus users in Huddersfield, there was a different response.

Bill Crompton, 30, said: “It’s not worth it for Kirklees to spend so much money on a project that will only shave two minutes off my journey.”

People who drive into the town centre at rush hour have also become disgruntled by the announcement of the bus lane.

Bank worker Jenny Keane, 23, said “I drive in from Marsden every day and the bus lane, although it may cut bus journeys short, may cause more diversions for drivers.”

The £950,000 package of highways works, based in Manchester Road, is due to begin in June of this year.

The scheme will help to prepare the infrastructure for the adjoining Waterfront development, which is set to provide a new base for Kirklees College and create hundreds of jobs in Huddersfield.

Included in the works are: New traffic lights to reduce congestion.

CCTV to increase security and monitor traffic.

A 600 metre bus and cycle lane.

‘Real Time’ information in bus shelters so people know when the next bus is coming.

£250,000 of road resurfacing throughout the length of the scheme.

Clr Peter McBride, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This project is about far more than creating a bus lane.

“It’s a whole package of improvements and it also boosts regeneration.

“We are helping to improve public transport, but the measures are also about long-term planning and are strongly linked to the huge, flagship redevelopment of the Waterfront Quarter.

“The Waterfront development is on a site between Manchester Road, Chapel Hill and the River Colne, so we need to have access in place and be prepared for the extra traffic this important scheme will generate.

“By acting early to provide the right infrastructure, we are being forward-thinking and responsible and we are making sure a problem doesn’t develop further down the line.”