COUNCILLORS ACTIONS GETS IMPROVEMENTS FOR HUNSWORTH RESIDENTS (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

COUNCILLORS ACTIONS GETS IMPROVEMENTS FOR HUNSWORTH RESIDENTS

January 4, 2010 5:15 PM

The Liberal Democrat councillors in Cleckheaton ward have taken action to reduce the appalling impact of the Highways Agency compound on Hunsworth Lane.

The Liberal Democrat councillors in Cleckheaton ward have taken action to reduce the appalling impact of the Highways Agency compound on Hunsworth Lane. This vast site was established in the green belt and without planning permission. The work by the contractors Balfour Beatty is taking place mainly at night so residents have had to endure the rumbling of huge vehicles throughout the night at a rate of 12 every 5 minutes.

Cllrs Kath Pinnock, Ann Raistrick and Andrew Pinnock have taken up the concerns of residents. They have discussed the situation with Council planners, Council environmental health officers, and the local Police team. All have been very helpful. As a result:

• the Spen Valley Police Team Inspector Tim Holland has visited the site and spoken with the manager there. Balfour Beatty has agreed to move some of the larger vehicles onto a site at Junction 27 and to accept a 20mph speed limit for vehicles into and out of the site. They have also agreed to switch off the rotating orange flash lights when moving the vehicles late at night. The Police will continue to monitor.

• the Council's environmental noise and pollution officer, Andrew Jamieson, has met with the contractors and the Highways Agency who have agreed the following -

• the breakdown recovery service based at the compound has been limited to only operate during the day

• vehicles leaving the compound will do so at staggered intervals during the night to reduce noise levels

• road sweeping of Hunsworth Lane will only be carried out during the day between 08:00 and 16:00

• alternative overnight parking will be used away from the compound for some heavy plant and vehicles at junction 27 site

• alternative location will be used for temporary stockpiling of excavated materials away from the compound in order to minimise lorry movements on Hunsworth Lane

• the Council Highways department will alter and increase the green light times on the traffic signals at the junction of Hunsworth Lane and Whitehall Road to reduce queuing times.

Cllr Ann Raistrick said, "the changes agreed will not remove the nuisance altogether but we do hope that it will improve the situation. We have asked local people to let us know if the situation does not improve and we will continue to put pressure on the contractors to live up to their claim of being "considerate".

Cllr Kath Pinnock commenting said, "It is outrageous that a Government service does not have to comply with the rules the Government sets out for everyone else. The contractors should have been made to apply for planning permission and to abide by any conditions that were set to protect local residents."