Driving instructor and Kirklees councillor Vivien Lees-Hamilton has reported Kirklees Council contractors to police after a frightening confrontation at roadworks.

Mayor of Mirfield Clr Lees-Hamilton claims she was surrounded by three workmen and held in the road for at least 15 minutes.

The clash happened in Hopton Lane, Upper Hopton, near the junction with Hopton Hall Lane, at 1pm on Thursday.

Birmingham-based contractors Kiely Bros were carrying out surface dressing – tarmac and chipping – and traffic was being controlled by workman with a stop-go board.

Clr Lees-Hamilton was at the wheel of her Seat Ibiza when she approached one of the stop-go controllers.

As she came up to the Waste Lane junction she slowed and put the car in first gear. She said there was a group of workmen with their backs to the road and the one with the stop-go board was “dragging it behind him.”

As there were no obstructions and the road was clear, she started to pull round but, as she became level with the controller, he stepped in front of her car and struck it with the board.

A picture of a council contractor who stood in front of Clr Vivien Lees-Hamilton's car in Hopton Lane, Upper Hopton. The picture was taken by Clr Lees-Hamilton from the driving seat.
A picture of a council contractor who stood in front of Clr Vivien Lees-Hamilton's car in Hopton Lane, Upper Hopton. The picture was taken by Clr Lees-Hamilton from the driving seat.

They exchanged words and Clr Lees-Hamilton continued down the road and stopped. She then claims another traffic controller blocked her car, standing inches from her front bumper.

At one point there were three men surrounding her car. With the traffic controllers out of position, vehicles started coming from both directions, trapping her car in the road.

It was at least 15 minutes before she was able to drive off and Clr Lees-Hamilton said: “It was a frightening incident and I am not someone who is easily frightened. It really shook me.”

Clr Lees-Hamilton took pictures from inside her car and rang Simon Whitworth, manager of the Kirklees Community Safety Partnership, “as a witness” to what was going on.

She added: “Later, after the adrenaline wore off, I was in tears and I reported it to police.

“I thought it’s something I wouldn’t pursue because the police have better things to do but I have been told it’s a possible public order offence and I will go ahead with the complaint.”

Clr Lees-Hamilton also took photographs of what she claims is poor quality workmanship on the road.

She took a picture of a triangular lump under the newly-laid tarmac which she believes could be a ‘give way’ sign that’s been tarmaced over.

She also took a picture of a rag which has also seems to have been tarmaced into the road surface.

A rag on the road in Upper Hopton apparently tarmaced over by contractors.
A rag on the road in Upper Hopton apparently tarmaced over by contractors.

Residents in Hopton Lane were also concerned at the state of the road. Another driver who used the lane at the time also criticised the work crews.

In an e-mail to the Examiner she wrote: “They had stop-go signs which some people ignored and drove round the car in front that had stopped at the sign.

“When we did drive through past the workmen, the road wasn’t wide enough for us to pass and they had us driving up onto the pavement. They should have had proper traffic lights.”

Sgt Anita Patel, of the Dewsbury & Mirfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, confirmed police had received two calls over an incident at roadworks in Hopton Lane.

She said: “At 1.15pm, a call was received from a contractor working on site reporting a driver who had allegedly failed to stop as indicated by a stop-go sign and then verbally abused staff when challenged.

“Half-an-hour later a further call was received from a woman reporting that a contractor working at the location had failed to operate a traffic management sign properly and that she had been intimidated. Arrangements are being made to speak to both parties involved.”

A council spokesman said: “We have not been made aware of any incidents taking place at the road works on Hopton Lane.

“However we are now looking into this and will take appropriate action if necessary. We are also investigating the claim that items are being surfaced over.

“A full inspection of the site is planned, to make sure that the road is surfaced to the appropriate standards. We will discuss findings with the contractor.”

Kiely Bros did not respond to a request for a comment.