Drivers using one of Huddersfield’s busiest road junctions are being prepared for six months of major roadworks.

As part of a £2m plan, Kirklees Council will be carrying out highway improvements at Ainley Top which include three lanes for the roundabout, traffic lights and a speed limit cut.

The roundabout serves traffic heading to and from the M62 motorway as well as Huddersfield, Outlane and Brighouse.

Preparation work will begin on December 2 for up to two weeks and the main work gets under way from January for five months.

The junction handles thousands of vehicles every day.

A Kirklees Council spokeswoman said: “The roundabout won’t be closed during the work, although some approach lanes may be.

“We are still finalising the dates. We will be writing to residents to inform them of the work.”

The work starting on Monday, December 2, for two weeks will be carried out through the night, from 8pm until 6am, to avoid peak times.

In a letter to residents the council’s Principal Engineer, Rashid Mahmood, says the works will lead to a “reduction in congestion, shorter queue lengths and less delay for vehicles using the roundabout.”

The letter adds: “These improvements will not ‘cure’ congestion here. There are just too many journeys taking place through the junction.”

It adds that, after December’s work, the main reconstruction is planned to take five months from January and “needs to be completed before Stage 2 of the Tour de France passes through the roundabout on July 6.”

Residents and businesses in the area are also being warned about noise from the machinery.

As underground ducts will be installed, drilling and digging works will create noise.

The council is installing sound barriers but the council added: “It is unlikely that the barriers will remove all the noise.”

The work is being done as a result of nearby housing developments – Miller Homes and Harron Homes are building 294 homes on land off Cowrakes Road and Weatherhill Road, Lindley.

Highways improvements were required as part of planning consent and the developers are putting £2,072,289 towards off-site highway plans including funding Ainley Top changes and changes at the East Street junction.

CHANGES AHEAD

Widening of the circulatory road to form three lanes.

New traffic lights on each approach and exit of the roundabouts.

Traffic lights on the circulatory road

Red and green figure crossing facilities.

Facilities to improve safety for cyclists.

Speed limit cut to 40mph.

Ainley Top roundabout in Huddersfield.
Ainley Top roundabout in Huddersfield.