CONCERNED villagers have been told more about road works which will bring traffic congestion for nearly four months.

Kirklees Council held an information session yesterday about the controversial bridge strengthening in Milnsbridge.

The bridge over Market Street will be made one-way during the road works, meaning drivers will not be able to head towards Manchester Road.

Christopher Worsley, who owns Easy Fireplaces on Morley Lane, said he was concerned the restrictions would hit his business.

“The passing trade will be much lower,” said the 30-year-old Milnsbridge man.

“I employ two people and we display all British products so it will affect our suppliers in Barnsley and Leeds as well if we’re quiet for three months.”

Mr Worsley attended the Kirklees information session about the work at Milnsbridge Baptist Church yesterday.

The businessman agreed that the bridge strengthening was essential.

“It’s something that needs to be done, there’s no denying that the structural work needs to be done,” he said.

“But the council are trying to please many and they’ve over complicated things.”

Mr Worsley, who moved his business from Market Street to the former Armitage pub on Morley Lane, believes the village roads struggle at the best of times.

“Traffic and parking in Milnsbridge is always poor because there isn’t a designated car park,” he said.

“It’s a case of ‘park where you can’ and that’s never good for local traders.”

Former councillor Christine Iredale was also among residents at the information session yesterday morning.

The Milnsbridge woman said the work would affect people inside and outside the village.

“I’m not very impressed with this, I think it will be bad for Milnsbridge if people can only go one way over the bridge,” said the former Lib Dem councillor.

“It will affect people in Golcar as well because this is the way they come down into Huddersfield.

“The council hasn’t consulted the Colne Valley councillors even though this will force drivers to go round by Titanic Mill in Linthwaite.”

Mrs Iredale added that the council has not consulted villagers about the proposal.

“They are having a consultation on July 31 and the work will start on August 6. They should have consulted earlier.”

During the work Market Street will be made one-way between Morley Lane and Scar Lane, meaning traffic will be able to move north towards Golcar but not south towards Huddersfield.

Armitage Road will be made one-way between Market Street and Dowker Street, with cars allowed to head south only.

Dowker Street – which is normally one-way – will become two-ways.

A diversion will be set up via Longwood and Paddock.

The work on the 120-year-old bridge will take at least 14 weeks to complete.