Call for cancellation of 'absurd' 24-hour bus lane

A 24-hour bus lane from Oakenshaw and Chain Bar will be introduced despite objections

Campaigners are continuing in their fight against plans to install a 24-hour bus lane, which they have branded as "absurd".

Kirklees Council agreed in June to introduce the bus lane from Oakenshaw to Chain Bar in Cleckheaton despite strong objections from residents and members of the "Say 'No' to Bus Lane" group.

The local authority said the works would enhance bus travel, improve journey times and reduce congestion in the area.

The campaign group has now called for the project to be cancelled, arguing it was "an appalling waste of public money" and was "unwanted and unneeded".

Traffic Regulation Orders relating to routes within the A638 corridor from Oakenshaw to Dewsbury, via Cleckheaton, were considered.

These included the widening of Bradford Road in Oakenshaw to provide a two-lane approach to Chain Bar, including a 24-hour southbound bus lane on Bradford Road.

'Shame on you'

Despite its unpopularity, the plan was approved as calls of "shame on you" echoed in the council chamber.

Moses Crook, deputy leader of the council, said the proposed bus lane was part of a wider scheme designed to tackle a stretch of highway with significant traffic congestion.

"Two public consultations for the scheme have already taken place and in June this year, objections raised through the statutory Traffic Regulation Order consultation were carefully considered," he said.

"However, it was agreed to proceed with the scheme as advertised."

The bus lane will be funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transforming Cities fund, he added.

Campaigners are against the bus lane, saying it is unwanted

A mandatory cycle lane at Rawfolds, Cleckheaton, was also proposed, according to the Local Democracy Service.

The decision has not deterred campaigners who said the "vast majority" of residents and haulage companies in Low Moor and Oakenshaw were given "absolutely no opportunity" to object because they were not informed of the plans by Kirklees Council.

At June's meeting, a council officer acknowledged that the consultation should have been extended and accepted that the Oakenshaw community was not "adequately covered".

Calls to cancel scheme

A spokesperson for the campaign group said the council's "admitted failure" had "created a massive democratic deficit".

"It is imperative that the scheme is cancelled before any more time or money is spent," they said.

The group has also asked Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to overrule National Highways' refusal to install traffic lights at the junction of the A638 on to Chain Bar.

"This is quite simply the only safe and fair solution and will cost a tiny fraction of the Kirklees scheme," they said.

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