New road markings steering drivers against the flow of traffic on what was considered by many as a one way street have been branded a ‘recipe for disaster’.

Smithy Lane, in Huddersfield, is a busy 120-metre stretch of road which links Somerset Road with the A629 Wakefield Road, and has been regarded by many as a one way street, heading towards Wakefield Road, for years.

Just off Smithy Lane is a small new housing development, and road markings have now been put down for people leaving the development, steering them against the traffic, and taking them towards Somerset Road.

The markings are causing confusion for some motorists, among them former driving instructor Dave Brook, of Everard Street, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield.

He said: “If ever there was a recipe for disaster this is surely it.

“They are just inviting problems. Previously if you came out of that little development you had to turn right and go with the rest of the traffic.

“But these new markings take people the other way.

“I am concerned about road safety. Whether the road is now officially designated as a one way system or not I am not sure.

“It is a very confusing situation.”

Kirklees Council said that although there are No Entry signs at the Wakefield Road junction with Smithy Lane, Smithy Lane itself has never been subject to a formal one way order.

A spokesperson said: “People turning left from the new housing development have highlighted the problem of drivers using the road as a one way street when entering Smithy Lane.

“We laid road markings to clarify the situation. However, many drivers are ignoring the markings out of habit.

“We expect this will gradually decrease as drivers begin to notice the new lining and arrows.

“There are two existing ‘two way’ traffic signs on the approach from Somerset Road.

“The previous arrangement has been in place many years, but has only become an issue since the new development was introduced.

“We will be laying additional lining shortly to clarify the situation, and are arranging for some additional temporary two-way traffic signing.

“We will also look at introducing a formal one way stretch between the new development and the A629.”