One-way system in store as supermarket adds to traffic
THE centre of a South Yorkshire market town is to be made into a one-way traffic system in a bid to improve safety and reduce congestion.
Penistone Town Council has agreed that four sections of road in the centre of the Pennine community should be restricted to one-way traffic.
The Mayor of Penistone, Councillor Carol Bradbury, said Barnsley Council had agreed that initially the change on roads around the church should be for a limited period to see how it worked out.
Traffic has increased in Penistone since the opening of a controversial new Tesco supermarket which was built on part of the town's showground, in the town centre.
The supermarket was part of a 15m regeneration scheme carried out by Barnsley-based Dransfield Properties, which also includes new fire and ambulance stations, a refurbished markets area, a new 190-space car park, new council offices and an all-weather bowling green.
Work on the new supermarket off Schole Avenue was subject to delays and faced protests from the organisers of the Penistone Show.
But Barnsley Council bought a piece of land close to the Tesco site, which hosted the event earlier this year.
Coun Bradbury said: "The centre of the town is now so busy it is gridlocked at times and we have got to try something to improve the situation.
"There are a lot more heavy lorries travelling through the town and with the main bus stop being outside the church the town centre becomes very congested.
"We hope that a one-way system will reduce the congestion."