Work has begun on the controversial new ‘bus gates’ scheme for Huddersfield town centre.
Buses-only routes will be introduced in the town centre controlled by cameras. Straying drivers will be hit with £60 fines.
Kirklees Council has installed bollards at the end of Station Street which are part of the additional street works needed.
The works have been suspended for the duration of the Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival but will resume next week.
The scheme is due to be completed by October followed by a “period of testing” before the cameras go live.
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet approved the £1.2 million project in April. The aim is to free up Westgate, Kirkgate, Market Street and High Street for buses and make it safer for people on foot.
Cabinet members backed use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to catch offenders.
There will be no physical barriers but warning signs will be put up.
The bus gates will operated seven days a week between 8am and 6pm on the following streets: Westgate, eastbound from Railway Street to John William Street; Kirkgate, eastbound from John William Street to Lord Street; Kirkgate, westbound from Venn Street to John William Street; Market Street (Northbound), on the approach to Westgate for controlling vehicles heading into Railway Street and St George’s Square, eastbound from Station Street to John William Street.
They will operate from 10am to 4pm in Market Street, eastbound on the approach to High Street and High Street, eastbound at the junction with Albion Street.
A council spokesman said: “Work on the bus gates scheme has been put on hold this week whilst the food and drink festival takes place but will resume once again next week.
“The scheme is running to schedule and the main highways work is expected to be completed by October. A period of testing will then take place before the scheme becomes operational.”
