A HUDDERSFIELD Councillor is calling for changes to controversial roadworks after carrying out his own traffic survey.
Contractors began essential strengthening work of the 120-year-old bridge at Market Street in Milnsbridge in August.
Kirklees Council has made the bridge one-way during the 14-week job, meaning traffic from the Golcar side of the village has to take a lengthy diversion via Paddock and Longroyd Bridge.
Officials decided not to use temporary traffic lights which would have allowed cars to travel in both directions over the bridge, as they feared this would cause tailbacks to Manchester Road.
But more than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for the bridge to be made two-way.
Shopkeepers have complained that the lengthy diversions have turned Milnsbridge into a ghost town.
Clr Andrew Marchington believes so few motorists are now coming into the village that it is safe to install traffic lights.
The Golcar Lib Dem counted the number of vehicles going over the bridge during peak times from 8am to 9am and 4pm to 5pm.
He said: “There are only 700 cars going through at peak time. If there were two-way working there would be capacity for 1,350 cars to go over the bridge.
“There are about 650 cars which could go through Milnsbridge which are currently going through Wellhouse and Longroyd Bridge.
“I still think they should have two-way lights. I don’t think that would clog up the roads more than they are already.”
But a Kirklees spokesman said there would be no U-turn on the decision to make the bridge one-way.
“The possibility of using two-way lights on the bridge has been examined at length,” he said.
“We have studied the data collected by Clr Marchington and, as part of our efforts to continually monitor the situation in Milnsbridge, we have also carried out our own traffic surveys.
“The data makes it clear that two-way lights would actually have an adverse effect on traffic flow in the area.
“There is a significant risk that they would lead to longer queues, more congestion and greater delays, as well as raising issues around safety.
“At the same time, we will continue monitoring the situation and will put in place any measures that can help the safe movement of traffic.
“We fully understand the issues being experienced and, since the work began, we have taken a wide range of measures in response to concerns being raised.”
