FIRE crews are hoping that Kirklees Council will agree to fund access work at a fire hotspot.

They want the council to agree to fund vital access improvements to allow fire crews to tackle blazes at Kilner Bank and at the Kilner Bank Nature Reserve.

Former Huddersfield Station Manager Chris Kirby raised concerns with Kirklees Council around access at Kilner Bank after 35 calls to grass and woodland fires in the last 12 months.

Huddersfield Watch Commander Andy Blackburn explains: “Kilner Bank used to be a two-way road but due to the undergrowth it is now a single track.

“It has a padlocked gate at one end and a stone boulder at the other.

“Particularly in the warmer months we get repeated calls to Kilner Bank for grass fires.

“We have a key to access via the gated Wakefield Road end, but at Bradley Mills there is a large boulder.

“This forces us to reverse a fire engine for over a mile, taking more than 45 minutes to get out. This is valuable time which could be put to better use.

“Alternatively we need to run hoses the substantial distance which means we need extra firefighters who could be fighting fires in other areas.”

The proposal, to be determined by Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield Area Committee tomorrow night could see around £10,000 allocated to cut back trees and vegetation and install abarrier-style gate complete with shielded lock.

A report produced by Kirklees Council on the proposal reads: “It is recommenced that councillors note the proposals and approve the requested budget allocation from the 2011/2012 Area Committee Capital budget.

“Officers agree that the suggested improvements will go some way to alleviating the Fire Service’s concerns here.”

But the fire service acknowledges tackling access is only half of the battle to dealing with grass fires.

Former Huddersfield Station Manager Chris Kirby said: “We need targeted education so that the people setting these fires understand the potential impact this could have if there are serious fires occurring at the same time.

“This is where our Arson Task Force and Community Safety Teams come into the equation. They will deliver these messages to local schools, community centres and the public.

“Hopefully, the message will get across and we will see a reduction in fires that will free my resources to do work that is more worthwhile.”

Huddersfield Area Committee meeting will discuss the proposal tomorrow at Huddersfield Town Hall, Reception Room at 7pm.