Drivers condemn 'ridiculous' rural one-way road

Westfield Lane has been closed to southbound traffic by Wakefield Council

Drivers in a West Yorkshire village have hit out at a new one-way system imposed by their local authority.

Westfield Lane, between Darrington and Wentbridge, has been shut to southbound traffic by Wakefield Council.

The council said the move was in response to Westfield Lane becoming a "rat run" due to roadworks on the A1.

But critics have said it forces drivers to take a four-mile detour to get to their destination.

Sally Wilson, who owns a livery yard on Westfield Lane, said the new scheme was inconveniencing visitors and suppliers.

She told the BBC: "Anything that's coming to the farm, including huge grain wagons, are all having to go all the way round Wentbridge, which is ridiculous.

"That's extra traffic through Wentbridge, where there doesn't need to be.

"They need to come literally 50 yards up the road (to get here), but instead they have to go four miles round."

Sally Wilson said suppliers were having to drive an extra four miles, instead of "50 yards up the road"

Resident Zoie Caudle said the one-way rule had led to confusion as to where "local access" on the lane ended.

She said: "I definitely blame the council. They've done nothing to help local people or inform local people about what's happening."

In a statement, Wakefield Council said the move was an "emergency measure", adding it was monitoring its impact on a "daily basis".

A spokesperson said: "The National Highways work on the A1 is causing massive issues on local roads.

"Drivers on the A1 are ignoring the diversion routes and turning roads like Westfield Lane into rat runs.

“The sheer volume and type of traffic on this local lane is now incredibly dangerous and has caused major damage to the road.

"We have two options. One to close the road completely, which would drive A1 traffic onto another local lane.

"Or put the temporary one way in place to try and manage the situation."

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