TRAFFIC flows in part of Huddersfield town centre roads are to be reversed.
The move is to enable a new route for a free town centre bus service, when one is reintroduced later this month.
Kirklees Council and Metro are carrying out a nine-month trial of the free bus from October 30.
It will link the university, main shopping areas, bus station, railway station and markets.
To provide a convenient circular route, the one-way system in Cross Church Street and half of Queen Street will be reversed to run towards the Parish Church.
The traffic flow on the lower part of King Street, together with a small section of Zetland Street, will also be reversed so that the flow is down King Street.
This is aimed at protecting pedestrians crossing between the upper part of King Street and the Kingsgate Centre who would otherwise face traffic coming up King Street and turning right into their path.
The traffic flows will be reversed from October 23.
This will be done through an experimental Traffic Regulation Order for the duration of the service trial.
Because the change is experimental, the public will be asked for feedback during the first six months of the trial and the experiment will be carefully monitored.
If the trial is successful, the order may be made permanent.
The cycle lane and parking areas at Cross Church Street and Queen Street will remain.
The cycle lane will continue as at present, but will be one-way in the same direction as other traffic rather than against the flow as at present.
A council spokesman said: "While there may be a period of adjustment in getting used to the new layout, there are clear benefits to the Free Town Bus scheme.
"Improving the public transport network with no detriment to the motorist is one of them."
