Kirklees Liberal Democrats have asked the council for £8 million to be invested in improving highways in the Colne Valley and Golcar.

Councillors Nicola Turner and Andrew Marchington have submitted an amendment to the council’s capital budget to allow them to build two new roads to cope with congestion and growing industry in Slaithwaite and Milnsbridge.

The budget for the next year will be decided by full council next Wednesday.

Clr Turner said that the party want a link road to be built in Slaithwaite between Manchester Road and the industrial estate on New Street to reduce congestion through the village centre.

She said that they also wanted a second river crossing to be built on River Street in Milnsbridge.

Clr Turner, who represents the Colne Valley Ward, said that investing the money was ‘crucial’ for supporting new businesses and ensuring public safety.

Two major planned developments in Slaithwaite, the new Aldi store on Britannia Road and the Globe Mills development on Bridge Street, have been the subject of public scrutiny due to the impact of increased traffic on the village’s roads.

Meanwhile, traffic congestion in Milnsbridge has been an issue for over the last year and a half.

Their calls come on top of traffic improvement plans in Slaithwaite which includes a new 20mph zone and new road humps in the centre.

Cllr Turner said: “I think it is paramount that this money is invested.

“Not only do we need to support new businesses with adequate local infrastructures but we need to ensure that residents are not put at risk or negatively affected by the increased traffic.

“The new road in Slaithwaite would ease congestion in the village and remove the need for industrial vehicles to come into the centre almost entirely.

“If these roads are not put in place the areas could turn into traffic nightmares.”

The Slaithwaite link road suggestion has been supported by Bridge Street theatre partnership Watershed, who worry that the Globe Mills development will reduce accessibility for disabled children.

Theatre partner Kim Reuter, said: “I think that building the road would be fantastic for locals.

“We are concerned that access to our centre will be reduced due to increased road use by new businesses in the development.”

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