CONCERNS have been raised about safety after the closure of Halifax Road.

People living on main roads around the Ainley Top roundabout say they have already experienced heavy goods vehicles speeding along residential roads.

And there is already some confusion about the weight limit allowed on the diversion roads.

Kirklees Council say Weatherhill Road, Crosland Road, Laund Road and Moorlands Road all have a weight limit of 3.5tonnes – suitable for a transit van.

But yesterday at the entrance to Weatherhill Road and Crosland Road signs said there was a weight limit of 7.5tonnes.

Birchencliffe residents Christine Hurn and Beverley Prendergast say they have already seen large HGVs use Weatherhill Road and fear what the next 13 weeks may bring.

Christine Hurn said: “It’s been non-stop traffic all day.

“I’m amazed by the size of some of the lorries, but my main worry is the safety of the children – these trucks should not be using this road and people need to realise it’s 30mph.

“It’s just frightening – I’m horrified that this could go on for 13 weeks.

“But they need to sort it this week before the children go back to school.”

Beverley Prendergast added: “I daren’t let my 11-year-old son cross the road on his own because of the speed of the traffic.”

Halifax Road inbound from Ainley Top roundabout is closed for major works with diversions in place. Traffic can still use the road outbound.

Barry Sheppard, of Moor Hill Road, added: “I think we all knew it would cause chaos.

“I understand why they are doing the works, we all need energy supplies, but they (the council) don’t seem to have got it right.

“It would help if you could actually phone the council but they all seem to have taken an extra day off.

“In the meantime thousands of drivers aren’t sure where they can go because the signs are wrong.

“We’ve got a few days before all the kids go back to school and the trouble really starts.”

Clr Tony Brice said he believed the 7.5tonne signs were wrong and would chase the issue up.

He added: “I do know that the police are patrolling the area and are enforcing the speed and weight restrictions.”