One-way system in store as supermarket adds to traffic

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."