Victory for road safety group

ROAD SAFETY Coun Steve Hall and Jo Cox, right, with campaigners.

A 608-name petition was submitted to Kirklees asking it to improve the busy crossing on the A62 between Robertown and Hartshead en route to Mirfield.

Youngsters are confronted with three lanes of traffic in a 40mph zone when they want to cross.

Campaigners, who have been supported by ward councillor Simon Alvy (Lab), met Jo Cox, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Batley and Spen, and Coun Steve Hall (Lab, Heckmondwike), the portfolio holder for planning and highways.

The council has now agreed to install a refuge at the junction with Slipper Lane.

Coun Alvy said there were concerns over the timescale for the works – which has been changed from a completion date of this summer to next February.

Campaigner Tracey Race welcomed Kirklees’ intervention, but added: “The concern remains that the traffic island may not be in place until February 2015, due to delays caused by procedural matters. So young people, including children of 11 going up to high school in September, will continue to be at risk on a road the council accepts is dangerous.”