New plan needed on A629 Halifax Road ‘quiet ways’
A629 Halifax Road Phase 4 plans for ‘quiet ways’ are threatened by local campaigns, particularly about Occupation Road, Lindley.
KCC chair, Chas Ball said in response to opposition by local residents and councillors: “Although there would be real benefits from these plans – in reducing through traffic and providing safer routes to school and shops – these have failed to convince the sceptics. Inadequate community engagement in 2018 and 2021 is the root cause.
“We support the move to secure safer access to local services and schools, although we submitted detailed criticism in November of the plans for the ‘quiet ways’. We want more emphasis on walking and cycling as encouraged by the government and to combat the climate emergency – but the local community, who will use these routes, need to be on board.
“Our planners have failed to engage with local people, who need to be involved in considering how to improve the safety and air quality of residential streets and local shopping centres.”
KCC wants Kirklees Council and WYCA to review the whole approach to community engagement in tackling the effects of increased traffic and parking. KCC has produced ideas (see below) for a new plan and its officers have recently met with Lindley’s Liberal Democrat councillors and officers of the Marsh Community Forum residents group.
The A629 Halifax Road quite ways run in two routes through Birchencliffe, Lindley, Marsh and Greenhead; and from Birchencliffe, through Grimescar and Birkby to the town centre.