CONTROVERSIAL roadworks in Milnsbridge are causing “bedlam” further up the Colne Valley.
Councillors have launched a petition against a diversion which is leading to congestion in nearby Wellhouse.
Kirklees Council is carrying out 14 weeks of essential bridge-strengthening work in the middle of Milnsbridge.
The bridge over Market Street has been made one-way during the work, meaning drivers can’t get to Manchester Road from the Golcar side of Milnsbridge.
A diversion is in place via Paddock and Longroyd Bridge.
But the alternative route is so long that some motorists are choosing to use the narrow roads of Wellhouse instead.
Lib Dem councillors launched a petition yesterday calling for better arrangements to cope with the roadworks.
Clr Nicola Turner of Colne Valley said: “If you had asked anyone in the area they would have told you that the one-way system that has been put in place across Milnsbridge would cause major problems.
“When people are faced with having to go via Longroyd Bridge – which was already a nightmare at the best of times – to reach the other side of the valley, it is natural for them to look for an alternative and anyone living in the area would have pointed to Wellhouse as an area that would be affected.
“We’ve now got hundreds more cars and larger vehicles including HGVs trying to get through Wellhouse and its bedlam and incredibly difficult for people living in the area. Tempers are fraying.
“The council should have consulted more widely and then this could have been avoided”
Golcar Lib Dem Clr Andrew Marchington added: “I consistently pointed out during the design stage of the scheme that it would cause massive problems of the sort we are now seeing in Milnsbridge, Longroyd Bridge and Wellhouse.
“The scheme is effectively cutting Milnsbridge in half with people on one side doing all they can to avoid coming into the centre to shop which is hugely damaging to businesses.
“It can’t be allowed to carry on like this for the full 12 weeks.”
The petition will be submitted to the next full council meeting which takes place on Wednesday next week.
