Villagers hit back at sign snub on M62

They claim Birstall will not appear on new directional signs at junction 27 of the M62 when the current major scheme is completed. Instead signs will point traffic to “A62 Batley”.

The Conservative councillors for the village – Liz Smaje, Andrew Palfreyman and Robert Light –have described this as yet another official snub for Birstall and those who trade in it.

The A62 passes through Birstall, and offers an ideal chance to encourage visitors into the village centre, but does not go through Batley, they say.

In a statement, the councillors said: “Why direct traffic to Batley when, although the A62 passes directly through Birstall, it goes no nearer than two miles to Batley town centre.

“This is yet another example of out-of-touch officials failing to support small centres.

“It’s a snub to all those who are working so hard to make the village a better place to live, trade and shop.”

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “We consulted with all of the local authorities before work started. We received no requests to sign Birstall from the motorway.”