Speed restriction plan set for Batley town centre
ANOTHER raft of road safety measures is being proposed for Batley after a study revealed a high rate of accidents over the past three years.
The council is proposing to make the whole of the town centre a 20 mph zone, a new zebra crossing to take pedestrians across Commercial Street to the island outside Grantham's Bakery and to make Back Providence Street one-way towards Upper Commercial Street.
The 20mph zone will include the whole of Commercial Street, the top of Branch Road, Peel Avenue, Henrietta Street, Market Place, Wards Hill and Cross Street.
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There would also be pedestrian build outs on the pavement at the top of Henrietta Street and on the zebra crossing side of the island.
The proposals follow a study into road accidents, which showed there had been 15 accidents between April 1 2006 and March 31 2009, four involving young pedestrians and others involving cars travelling too fast and tail-gating.
Kirklees highways engineer Khaleel Mohammed said speeding in the town centre was also raised as an issue during the consultation for changes to the Wards Hill and Commercial Street junctions, which will see Commercial Street made one-way from Wards Hill to Cross Street.
Mr Mohammed said the extra proposals aimed to create a more pedestrian friendly environment, increase driver awareness, reduce accidents and help reduce CO2 emissions.
He said following consultation the scheme would be in place by late Autumn to early Winter.
Ruth Sharpe, of Sharpe's Glass and Gifts, on Commercial Street, welcomed the proposals but said the timing of the work was not ideal.
She said: "The one-way street is very welcome because it's something we've been saying at traders' meetings.
"It looks like they're looking more at Batley as a whole, rather than putting things in piecemeal.
"The work will certainly be disruptive and have an effect.
"If they it in the run up to Christmas that would spell doom for us, especially after the saga with the road works earlier in the year."
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Weather for Batley
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
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Temperature: 0 C to 6 C
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