Traffic calming measures being installed on ‘racetrack road’ that locals fear crossing

Newsome and Almondbury ward councillors have clubbed together to partially fund the scheme on the road leading from Castle Hill to Almondbury. The measures will be in place on Ashes Lane, Kaye Lane and Westgate.

The stretch is notorious for speeding cars and is a long-standing cause of complaint for local residents. Collisions that have demolished walls have been reported, and residents are concerned it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.

Complaints from Almondbury residents have previously stemmed from cars accelerating up Kaye Lane as it leaves Westgate, or speeding down the same road from the direction of Castle Hill. A cause for concern is that the route is used by school children walking to and from All Hallows Primary and King James School.

The works are currently being carried out and will continue until Friday, August 4. During this time, the road will be closed to traffic.

Newsome Ward Green Party Councillor Andrew Cooper said: “I am really pleased this work is finally being carried out. Local residents have been calling for action to reduce speeds for some time. The scheme did not meet Kirklees Council’s criteria for funding so we had to use our limited local budget to ensure the traffic calming went ahead.

“As the Westgate part of the schemes and some of Kaye Lane were in the neighbouring Almondbury ward we pooled our local budget with the Almondbury councillors’ budget to enable the scheme to get the go ahead. The important thing is that this will make a dangerous road safer.”

Cllr Bernard McGuin (Con, Almondbury) said: “For years, residents have been concerned about speeding down Ashes and Kaye Lane. The scheme is to calm traffic where there are houses.

“Highways would not fully fund the scheme as they say there is no evidence that speed is a problem, as there had been no deaths or serious injuries in the last 5 years.

“I did ask my fellow ward and Newsome colleagues about getting together to get traffic calming a few years ago but did not get a reply. When this present scheme was proposed, I did not want to seem churlish by asking what had changed, just glad that we are getting some action.

“There are problems with speeding, further along Ashes Lane, so this is not a cure all. Better signing that it is a 30mph zone might be a cheaper option, from where the scheme ends up and past Castle Hill. A few residents around here do worry about speed.

“Evidence from speed indicator devices is that speed is a problem on Kaye Lane and we have been promised enforcement action. The traffic calming may do the job anyway.”

Cllr Alison Munro (Lib Dem) said: “Almondbury Lib Dems were approached in 2018 about speeding traffic up Kaye Lane as local residents had become fearful of crossing the road due to vehicle accidents. There was also evidence of vehicles travelling at high speeds.

“I hope the scheme will be successful and that drivers will slow down to make it safer for pedestrians as they travel through a residential environment which should benefit all road users using this route.”

Cllr Paola Davies (Lib Dem) added: “Since the Phase One scheme was commissioned, there was an opportunity to extend it and include a Phase Two where all Almondbury ward councillors and Newsome ward councillors have contributed. We hope both schemes will cause drivers to slow down.

“We need safer roads, where people feel confident and safe and are encouraged to walk more.”