AN emergency cycle response team is back on track after a three-month gap.

The Civil Volunteers Cycle Response Division will return to Huddersfield town centre at the weekend.

The voluntary team – comprising two cyclists and two walkers – acts as a frontline unit, responding to incidents on the streets before the emergency services can attend.

The team, trained in first aid and other vital skills, stopped work last November following concerns from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

But the Home Office-funded team, which works in partnership with the police, safety volunteers Street Angels and Kirklees Council, will return after obtaining its own insurance.

The team will discuss its progress with Kirklees Council, police and YAS on February 28.

The walking patrol returned to Huddersfield Town Centre last weekend.

Cycle officer Richard Brook said: “A lot can happen while people are waiting for an ambulance.

“We were gutted when we had to stop, but we knew we had to wait.

“It’s a lot better now we’re going back on.

“Street Angels and Huddersfield door staff wanted us to come back. I know we’re appreciated and we’re looking forward to going back on the streets.”

A YAS statement said: “The YAS NHS Trust has meetings arranged with the group to offer help in developing this scheme.

“Sheenagh Byrne, assistant director operations (network response), and Alan Baranowski, assistant director operations (Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees), are in discussions with the group to look at ways in which the scheme can be operated.”