RESIDENTS of a small community are fed up with drivers using their roads as a rat-run.

People living in the Magdale area of Honley say it has become clogged with traffic trying to avoid busier routes.

They fear the problem will get worse as there are no traffic-calming measures.

Marie McHale, residents’ association spokeswoman, said: “The speed and the volume of traffic coming through Magdale is putting the safety of pedestrians at risk.

“The place is being used as a rat-run. People from Netherton driving to the schools in Honley come through here to avoid the speed humps and traffic lights.

“There are some bad bends and the road is not wide enough to be used as a feeder road as there is not enough room for two vehicles to pass.

“Peoples’ lives are being put at risk as there are no pavements to walk on.

“One resident had to be taken to hospital because he was hit by a lorry.”

The heavy flow of commuters journeying through Magdale at rush hour is added to by lorries using local industrial units and drivers using sat-nav systems getting stuck.

Worried villagers say traffic will become worse because when new homes are built on Thirstin Road, as they believe residents will use Magdale for access.

Mrs McHale said: “It’s become a nightmare. I’ve lived here for 24 years and it wasn’t half as bad then as it is now.

“The problems have got worse in recent years because we’ve now got the industrial units and new homes have been built.”

The villagers took a petition to Kirklees Council’s highways department in May, asking for the speed limit to be reduced from 30mph to 20mph, and for measures to restrict traffic.

But they were told nothing would be done.

However, they are determined to battle on and have enlisted the help of Holme Valley councillor Terry Lyons.

He has asked the council to designate Magdale a Quiet Zone, cut the speed limit and install rumble strips to calm traffic.

Mrs McHale said: “Something needs to be done and we are not giving up. Magdale is an area of beauty. It’s a rural conservation area, and it’s extremely popular with horse riders and cyclists, but no-one can enjoy it because of the traffic.

“It’s not safe to walk at the side of the roads and pedestrians, such as mothers with pushchairs should be able to walk in safety.

“At the moment we have to pin ourselves against the wall.”

A Kirklees spokesman said: “This matter is due to go to the council’s Cabinet in September.

“The representations we have received also include a petition as well as the concerns of local residents and councillors.

“The issues still need to be looked at and assessed in the context of the usual options for traffic measures for these sort of problems.”