A Shepley junction labelled one of the worst in Kirklees for accidents could see improvement work start next month.
Plans are afoot to reduce the speed limit at Lane Head Road at Shepley - known as Sovereign crossroads - potentially from 50mph to 30mph.
Data shows the Lane Head Road junction has been named among the worst for accidents with five fatal or serious accidents and 16 other injuries in the last nine years.
However, Kirklees Council is set to carry out improvement work in October, which has been welcomed by Clr Robert Barraclough.
Clr Barraclough, Green Party member for the ward, said: “I think the improvements the council has planned are needed, especially the speed reduction on the main road.
“I’d rather they do this work than us lobby for millions and major works and it get shelved and never happen.
“I’m told the work will be done in October and I really do think it will be for the better.”
The proposals include reducing the 50mph speed limit from Shepley to where it becomes Penistone Road, introducing right turn lanes at the Barnsley Road and Holmfirth Road junctions, drainage improvements, and a pedestrian refuge to separate the right turn lanes.
The road was surface dressed in July, but the rest of the work was listed for October due to the diversions that will be needed.
A council spokeswoman said: “The council’s casualty reduction programme doesn’t assess roads in terms of the worst roads for killed and seriously injured casualties, instead we look at areas where there are clusters and similar accidents - whether these be serious or slight, we then work with local communities, councillors and the police to look at the best way of reducing these accidents.”
“The Sovereign crossroads is not the worst site for road accidents in Kirklees. However, following concerns from the community about Sovereign crossroads we are planning some alteration work on this stretch of road.
“Works will include resurfacing the junction, surface dressing on both approaches, as well as changing the road lining to influence how drivers behave when travelling through the junction.
“The works are planned for completion in October.”
