A VILLAGE is to get a zebra crossing as part of a bid to improve safety.

Signs urging drivers to slow down will also be painted on approach roads in New Mill.

The move follows local concern about traffic dangers.

Kirklees Council held a number of exhibitions and meetings to find out what villagers wanted.

Traffic lights have been ruled out, after many people opposed them.

A start on the scheme will be made this year, after the proposals were approved by the council's Cabinet.

Council chiefs admitted the plan was a compromise - adding that there was no ideal solution to New Mill's road problems. The zebra crossing will be in Sheffield Road, near Water Hall Court.

Other measures will include widening the pavement near the post office, to slow down vehicles going up Penistone Road from Holmfirth Road.

A pedestrian island will be built in Huddersfield Road, opposite the White Hart pub. Highways workers will also provide a new pavement in Holmfirth Road, between the Duke of Leeds pub and Royd Avenue.

Council officials said they would review the scheme after three months to see how it was working.

Speed plateaux to reinforce the initial measures may be a possibility later, said the council.

The blueprint was approved at the council Cabinet meeting.

Tory Clr Ken Sims said: "There's been a lot of consultation on this. It's not given us as much as we would have liked, but it's gone a long way."

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