A £50,000 project to extend a bus lane by 300 metres has been slammed by a Waterloo resident.

Andy Blackburn, 39, a client services manager says the move in Penistone Road is a waste of cash at a time when Kirklees Council is looking to save millions in cuts.

He said: “The extension goes from Mountfield Road to Southfield Road. When people are looking at £80m cuts in services surely there are more pressing cases for the allocation of such a large sum?

“In the current climate the council are looking to cut back so they could save money on this. You could understand that amount of money if it was longer.

“If there is congestion this would just move it slightly further back. It’s a lot of money to save a few seconds.

“When they are looking to cut back services and this goes ahead it suggests there is very little oversight going on.”

Almondbury councillor John Smithson disagreed, saying: “The bus lane will improve bus times and raising the amount of public transport use is something the council supports.

“The consequences for people on Wakefield Road will be minimal.

“As for the cost this will be more than just some paint and signs. We will be improving the layout of the road and traffic islands will help with road safety.”

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “A decision on whether this scheme goes ahead will be made by councillors on March 2.