Ongoing Road Closure Information

During the road closure period through Flockton, this post will be added to and updated. You can also join in with conversations on our social media platforms.


People you may wish to report issues to:

Kirklees Highways Princpal Engineer, Andy Walsh: Tel. 01484 221000

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner: 


Latest News


Some lorries think that they can squeeze through the road closed signs, but what may appear to be clear in the mind, is not clear on the ground. However, there are diversions for cars, and visiting local businesses in Flockton, such as the Sun Inn, Jacks Craft Ale House, and local shops, is still encouraged.

Flockton roadworks - flocktonbypass.co.uk Roadworks at the traffic calming end of the village

Flockton closure signs - flocktonbypass.co.uk Signs on Barnsley Road by Hardcastle Lane


Friday 24 August – The road through Flockton reopened around lunchtime.


Wednesday 22 August – Road resurfacing continued throughout the day.

Road resurfacing Flockton - flocktonbypass.co.uk


Monday 20 August – We were expecting the road to reopen on Wednesday 22 August, but this is when resurfacing is due to take place. The road will be planed and resurfaced. It as now anticipated that the road will remain closed, at least until Saturday morning 25 August.


Monday 13 August – Meeting of the Bypass Steering Group

A few things that were mentioned at the meeting:

  • Drains, gulley clearing, and street lighting have been completed.
  • Holmfirth Police intend to monitor HGVs and pavement parking, when the road reopens.
  • On Wednesday 22 August, some road resurfacing work is due to take place.
  • The Bypass steering group is finalising details for a visit by Kirklees Labour Councillor, Peter McBride, to visit the village and witness traffic issues first hand, sometime on Friday 14 September.

Sunday 5 August – The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Not amused! A disgruntled Jo Windle, Landlady of the Sun Inn, poses for an Examiner photographer behind one of the 'Road Closed' signs in Flockton village.

Joanne Windle - not amused - flocktonbypass.co.uk

Confusion caused by both signage and some of the Kirklees village 'gate keepers', has led to potential visitors to the pub thinking that they cannot reach it and that it is closed. A very small section of the major route has been closed to through traffic for essential drainage works, but visitors to the village are able to gain access through diversions.

Jo said, “We’ve got a fantastic beer garden and there’s absolutely nobody enjoying it.”

Read the full story here.

Jo has also appealed to local villagers, via social media, to visit the Sun a bit more often during the road closure weeks.


Saturday 4 August – 07:48 hrs
This foreign driver chose not to stop at Grange Moor, despite both the road closed and all restriction signs, as well as the operatives instructions, resulting in him reversing almost a full mile back up Barnsley Road!

Reversing HGV - flocktonbypass.co.uk

And a very similar lorry tried to do the very same, the following evening – only from the other direction. At least he didn't have to reverse quite so far, using the Sun’s car park as his reversing/turning area.


Thursday 2 August – an initial appraisal
After the first couple of days, it seems that 'gate keepers' at each end of the village (by the Black Bull at Midgley and Grange Moor roundabout), are letting most cars through without question, either assuming they are residents, or will easily be able to turn around if they thought they could get through a closed road. Buses are running through the village in both directions, mostly on time, with route diversions where necessary.


Sunday 29 July – Joanne, from the Sun Inn, has provided the following information:
People who are controlling the entry points to Flockton have been told to allow entry to anyone wanting to access businesses within Flockton. Coming from Huddersfield, cars will be diverted up Haigh Lane and back down Pinfold and be able to turn left to access homes and businesses. Throughout the closure only one side of the road will be closed which is on The Sun Inn side of the road up to our top car park from Haigh Lane.

There has been mention of a vehicle escort service through the village, but residents are hoping this may only be used between Haigh Lane and Doctor Lane.

Saturday 28 July – Month-long closure of busy route from Huddersfield to the M1 begins next week:

Flockton by The Huddersfield Daily ExaminerClick on image to link to article by The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Monday 30 July

The first day of closure brought peace to Flockton, but chaos to surrounding areas. This was Middlestown, early evening:


Grange lane on Thursday 2 August, evening:

Grange Lane - flocktonbypass.co.uk


 

Visits: 1572

Flockton Traffic Survey Results

Following a chase-up by Graham B (Bypass Steering Group), on the recent traffic survey, a reply was received from Phillip Waddington, Principal Engineer of Highway Safety:

“I would be able to provide you with the full data at a cost to yourself as per the Fees and Charges report for Kirklees Council. The data is currently £88 including VAT for each set of count information. There were 7 counts undertaken and shown on the summary sheet giving a total cost of £616. Please could you let me know if you wish to proceed with the request and I will speak to our traffic census team regarding the methods of payment. Kind regards Phill”.

David R, also on the Bypass Steering Group, commented:

"A summary of the data was sent free of charge. There are some rather worrying figures on this alone. [We discovered that the average of 419 HGV’s (7.8% of the overall traffic volume) and the average speed across all the counts (around 28 mph eastbound and 32 mph westbound) travelled eastbound towards the M1 (in 24 hrs), in contravention of the existing weight limit order.] Speeds and HGV numbers (although the latter is only shown as a percentage*). The full information must show a far worse picture with regard to traffic numbers in general, the number of HGVs on the narrow road, and excessive speeds by many. Surely, this data should be fully disclosed, without any cost. If not, why not? we ask.”

Here is a summary of the recent traffic measurements carried out.

Traffic Survey Results Map - flocktonbypass.co.ukMap with higher resolution text (to download and magnify)

We have been informed that to obtain full details from Highways would cost us £88 per set, so £616 for all 7 sets! he mean averages are obviously impacted upon by slow moving peak time traffic, whilst having 15% shown as exceeding over 37 mph in places is very worrying.

*The 85th percentile as a tool for improving roads and streets.

Please follow discussions about this in our facebook group.


 

Visits: 172

Flockton Residents Receive Proposed Speed Reduction Plan

Flockton residents have received official notice from Kirklees Council, that 20 mph speed limits are to be considered for parts of the village, to improve road safety. This comes after residents requesting a bypass have continued to lobby the Council to take a more proactive stance on the safety of pedestrians, particularly in the more vulnerable areas of the village, such as in the vicinity of the Primary School and existing traffic calming. The images below can be clicked on to enlarge and downloaded if you don't already have copies.

Any comments or concerns can be sent to the Council, via the email shown in the letter, or made by phone call, by 27 July 2018.

Speed Reduction Proposal Letter - flocktonbypass.co.uk

Speed Limits Map - flocktonbypass.co.uk


 

Visits: 1718

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