Fed-up villagers demand tougher action on lorries

RESIDENTS want a relief road to take lorries away from their village.

Their calls have been stepped up after years of traffic problems in Flockton.

Lorries are banned from using the main road through the village to get to the M1.

But the rule is regularly ignored, a meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall was told.

Tory Clr Mark Hemingway said: "There is a total lack of policing.

"People know they can get away with it."

Cabinet members of Kirklees Council were told that solutions were difficult because the main Barnsley Road through Flockton was so narrow.

Villagers have signed two petitions demanding new measures.

Parish councillor Jimmy Paxton, calling for a relief road, said: "Things are not getting any better, they are getting worse."

Terry Brown, the council's assistant highways director, said he had his doubts the Government would give any money for a relief road.

He pledged the council would continue to do what it could.

But he added: "We have to be realistic.

"If there is not going to be a relief road and we are not going to be knocking buildings down, we are quite limited in what we can do."

Terry Clarke, chairman of Flockton Community Action Group, said villagers did not feel they could walk in safety.