A DRIVER has warned others to beware of floodwater and mud spilling from the site of a controversial new cemetery.
Motorists were yesterday confronted by sheet ice across Hey Lane, Stirley Hill, Berry Brow.
Gary Eastwood, 43, who travels the road below Castle Hill every day in his Land Rover Freelander 4x4, braked to avoid another accident – and ended up spinning 360 degrees.
“Mud and water has made what was a decent road treacherous,” said dad-of-one Mr Eastwood.
“I have contacted Kirklees Council’s highways department about it.
“There’s a real mess on the road and highways should have ensured it was very well gritted.”
Work recently started on the car park for the new cemetery but Mr Eastwood said it seemed like the site was under a foot of water.
The new cemetery has proved controversial because of fears about flooding and its remote location.
Planners at first refused permission for the 7,500-plot site.
But changes were made to cope with the potential flood risk and rainwater run-off and the plans were narrowly voted through by councillors.
Mr Eastwood, of Honley, added: “This is a floodplain and it’s always very, very wet.
“Building the cemetery is going to disturb the drainage and run-offs and you have to ask whether this is the right location.
“I have lived here for eight years and never seen it like this before.”
A council spokesman said: “There have been extensive problems across Kirklees with water running from saturated fields and washing off grit leading to icy patches.
“This has been a problem on roads near Castle Hill including Lumb Lane and Brockholes Road. Other problem areas have included Lockwood Road and Meltham Road at Healey House Bends.
“It is not a problem particular to Hey Lane near the cemetery site and we do not believe that the work has contributed to this.
“We would ask motorists to let us know if they encounter particular problems with run-off as gritters will be sent to these points.
“Roads in this area were gritted on Wednesday evening at 6pm and again in the morning but the run-off will have removed some of the grit.
“Contractors on the site have been ensuring that site vehicles are based on hard standing to ensure that mud is kept to a minimum and the roadway has been cleaned.”
Be careful: Warning to motorists after crashes as more ice predicted: Click here to read.
