MODERN buses have been pulled from routes around Huddersfield because of damage from overhanging trees.
Yorkshire Traction has withdrawn part of its new £500,000 fleet from routes in Emley, Flockton and Grange Moor, because tree branches are causing damage.
Services 231 and 232 have been affected.
Clr Jimmy Paxton, a Kirkburton parish councillor who is based in Flockton, has raised the issue of old buses in service before.
Clr Paxton said he was delighted when it was announced newer buses would be appearing but is angry that Kirklees has failed to clear the trees. He said: "I have slated Yorkshire Traction in the past for running terrible buses that weren't fit for being on the road. The same buses are still running.
"One morning you and I could go out and sort all the problems out within an hour and a half.
"I'm blaming Kirklees Council because they have known about it and when the man from the council said to me they should get smaller buses - that's a poor effort.
That isn't on is it?"
He added that a number of trials with the new vehicles were carried out but were withdrawn after it became apparent that the branches were causing damage.
The new buses, acquired at the end of last year, are 14ft 6in tall and about five years old.
A spokesman from Yorkshire Traction said: "We're giving priority to introducing them at Barnsley rather than Huddersfield because of the tree issue."
He added that because of the tree problems the new buses won't be able to roll out until the autumn.
A spokesman from Kirklees Highways said that the issue was currently being investigated.
