Author: Richard G

At Council on 7 November 2018, the Motion proposed by Cllr Richard Smith & Seconded by Cllr John Taylor was approved by the Council. This committed the Cabinet to:

"undertake an assessment of any impact upon the village of Flockton & B6118 from the NKOR and A62 scheme and to ensure that due consideration is given to the issues in Flockton prior to any work starting on either of these road schemes.”

What we would like to do is encourage as many people as possible to comment on this proposal once it becomes available and to ask what the impact will be on B6118 and Flockton itself, as the Motion has committed them to considering this impact.  (Please read full information, below the session dates).

Details of Proposed Open public sessions:

Thursday 6th December 2018 3-7pm @ Bradley & Colnebridge WMC
Colne Bridge Rd, Huddersfield HD5 0RH

MONDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2018 3-7PM @ THE ROOM, BRIGHOUSE
The Old Town Hall, Thornton Square, Brighouse HD6 1EA

TUESDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2018 3-7PM @ ST THOMAS CHURCH BRADLEY
St Thomas Gardens, Huddersfield HD2 1SL

WEDNESDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2018 3-7PM @ HUDDERSFIELD TOWN HALL
Corporation St, Huddersfield HD1 2TA

MONDAY 7TH JANUARY 2019 3-7PM @ THE ROBERTTOWN (FORMER WMC)
Roberttown Ln, Liversedge WF15 7LT

TUESDAY 8TH JANUARY 2019 3-7PM @ BATTYEFORD BC PAVILION
442A Huddersfield Rd, Mirfield WF14 0EE

THURSDAY 10TH JANUARY 2019 3-7PM @ BRADLEY & COLNEBRIDGE WMC
Colne Bridge Rd, Huddersfield HD5 0RH

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Plans to create £69m Cooper Bridge bypass to M62 finally revealed.

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Full information

At Council on November 7th, the Motion proposed by Cllr Richard Smith & Seconded by Cllr John Taylor was approved by the Council. This committed the Cabinet to:

"undertake an assessment of any impact upon the village of Flockton & B6118 from the NKOR and A62 scheme and to ensure that due consideration is given to the issues in Flockton prior to any work starting on either of these road schemes.”

This is helpful timing as the proposed improvements to the A62 are now coming forward for public consultation. Importantly on December 5th the proposals for changes at Cooper Bridge will be made public. These involved the creation of a new road from between Bradley Bar and the Railway Viaduct to connect up to the Brighouse M62 junction. It is stated that this has the potential to remove 1500 cars an hour at peak times from the three Nuns roundabout.

Clearly this new road has the potential to make journeys from A62 to the M62 at Cooper Bridge easier and this therefore has the potential to attract more traffic to use this route and hence up the B6118 and through to Flockton to access the M1.

What we would like to do is encourage as many people as possible to comment on this proposal once it becomes available and to ask what the impact will be on B6118 and Flockton itself, as the Motion has committed them to considering this impact.  I would also like people to ask what assessment has been done of the potential impact on air quality and road safety.  It is worth remembering that each individual is entitled to submit a comment, so I would encourage households where there is more than one adult that each individual submit a comment but ensure that they are not identical as otherwise they will be dismissed, just change around the order of the points made and change some of the words so each submission is counted individually.  The aim is to get as many submissions as possible so that once more the need for a Bypass is self evident and keeps the issue live.

There are also a number of public consultation sessions and I have copied the details of these below, clearly the ones at the WMC by Mama & Papas will be the nearest but if you are able to attend any of these and view the proposals and ask questions about the Flcokton impact, this again would be very helpful.  Once the website link to the public consultation goes live on 5th December I will share this so people can log on and add comments.

Cllr. John Taylor

Visits: 191

On Wednesday afternoon, of 14 November 2018, members of the bypass campaign group, together with councillors, met with Police and Highways.

The meeting was attended by all 3 Councillors and 4 bypass committee members.

Confirmation was given that the TRO  (Traffic Regulation Order) has been revised and will be sent to council committee. (This relates to the enforibility of the weight restriction signage at Grange Moor, heading towards Flockton).

No ANPR camera (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) but Police to attend on a regular basis.

Please continue to contact the companies of HGV's, with names and registrations of vehicles, and inform them of the restrictions from Grange Moor.

20 mph is now enforceable nationally (whereas before, it wasn't). When the 20 mph signs appear in Flockton [from March 2019) they will be enforcible by the Police.

A school sign is to be erected after the traffic lights, approaching the zebra crossing.

There will be a change to the "No access through Flockton to the M1" – removing the "M1" element.

Pavement parking is to be addressed by Police.

Access of HGV's is to be allowed, but proof of delivery will be required.

So in conclusion, not got all we wanted, but still some progress in making the road safer.

Visits: 70

The latest ExaminerLive article by Local Democracy Reporter, Tony Earnshaw, starts…

"Pressure is growing on Kirklees Council to look seriously at a bypass for the traffic-clogged village of Flockton.

"The first phase could involve a feasibility study into potential routes for a relief road taking HGVs and other vehicles off the busy A637 that cuts through the community.

"Councillors who have backed residents’ calls for a bypass say the cost of such a study could be as little as £80,000.

"And they say the council could apply for government money to pay for it."

The article also reminds us of what Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, originally said about funding to help places, like Flockton:

Original meeting of local councillors and members of the Flockton Bypass campaign group, with Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, in Huddersfield

"In comments that seemed to relate directly to the Flockton scenario Mr Grayling said: "Typically you will have a small town on a major A-road where you have got an old centre, narrow streets, lorries going through them.

"You get pollution, you get congestion and there is a clamour for a bypass. We haven’t been building enough relief for those roads.""

Read the full article on ExaminerLive, here.

Visit Tony Earnshaw on facebook

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Visits: 88

… as deputy mayor Mumtaz Hussain terminates Kirklees Council meeting early.

Cllr. Richard Smith

Local Democracy Reporter, Tony Earnshaw writes:

Clr Richard Smith, who was prevented from tabling a motion to debate calls for a bypass in Flockton

Residents of Flockton plagued by a “constant barrage” of traffic will continue their campaign for a bypass.

Two schoolchildren joined adults to present an impassioned deputation to Kirklees Council in Huddersfield Town Hall on Wednesday evening.

But whilst their address was greeted with applause from the council chamber a motion calling for a relief road for Flockton went unheard.

Now the Conservative councillor who has already raised the issue three times has vowed to do so until the Labour-run authority takes notice.

And Clr Richard Smith (Kirkburton) offered his apologies to the people of Flockton for what he described as a “shameful display” by Labour colleagues, which culminated in Deputy Mayor Mumtaz Hussain abruptly terminating the meeting.

Clr Hussain refused to extend the meeting beyond its 9pm cut-off despite being invited to do so by Clr Smith, who was overruled twice.

And after being advised by chief executive Jacqui Gedman that there were still five minutes to go, Clr Hussain said “I’ve had enough.”

'Absolutely appalling behaviour'

Clr Smith called it “absolutely appalling behaviour when people have made the effort to do the deputation.

“It was a slap in the face to residents who made the effort to attend.”

He added: “I have raised this issue at least three times now. The bit that really annoyed me about the meeting was that I asked for standing orders to be suspended so that we could debate the issue.

“The Deputy Mayor said no. He could have used his discretion to hear it and he didn’t.

“I was angry but not surprised that the Labour Group wouldn’t entertain it.

“The Flockton residents’ deputation was well-received. The motion I put forward wasn’t just about the bypass but also about HGVs coming through the village when they shouldn’t, children walking to school, and housing that is going to impact on traffic levels.

“There are a lot of people in Flockton that do not vote for my party. There isn’t a political element to this. It’s about a village that has got issues with traffic. We need to find a workable solution.”

In presenting their deputation, local mothers Elena Delaney and Charlotte Michael pleaded for their voices to be heard.

“We are not here to antagonise, to be negative or denigrate the work that’s already been done or is being done but we are here to work together and to appeal to you to please relate to our petition.”

They said changes in road usage had impacted on the village, making demands for a bypass “more urgent than ever.

“Our conclusion as a group is that a bypass, or a small relief road, in actuality would be a single solution to a multitude of problems making Flockton a much safer place to be.”

In response senior Kirklees councillor Peter McBride said: “It’s real, it’s a problem. When we get the funding we will try to resolve it.

“I am not saying that we will provide a relief road. Longer term I think there is a solution. It may be the North Kirklees Orbital Road.

“In the meantime we are doing something that is hopefully relevant, and working with you.”

He said the council was looking at interim measures including travel plans for the local school and improved signage on highways.

Original ExaminerLive article.

Visit Tony Earnshaw on facebook

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Visits: 115

Members of the Flockton Bypass group will be among a limited number of the public, attending this meeting.

(From left to right: Elena D, Charlotte D, Ella B, Charlotte M)

Wednesday 10th October 2018 5:30 pm, Council
Venue: Council Chamber – Town Hall, Huddersfield

Commences 5:30 pm. Live on webcast if not attending.

The motion:
14: Motion submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Flockton Traffic Issues.

To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors Smith, J Taylor and D Hall.

“This Council notes that work is now underway to produce an Option Assessment Report in relation to the North Kirklees Orbital Route which will help to determine if this is a viable scheme to develop.

Additionally the £77 million Cooper Bridge by pass, linking the A644 near junction 25 M62 and the A62 near Bradley Bar is currently in the Design phase.

The Council recognises that both these schemes have the potential to significantly affect the volume and flow of traffic in and around the village of Flockton and on the B6118.

Given the existing severe traffic problems affecting the village of Flockton and the undoubted increase in the future with developments already in construction and the potential from the Local Plan , the Council recognises that even if it were to overlook the 2 major road schemes already mentioned, without intervention, this situation will only continue to deteriorate.

Therefore the council calls on the Cabinet to undertake an assessment of any impact upon the village of Flockton & B6118 from the NKOR and A62 scheme and to ensure that due consideration is given to the issues in Flockton prior to any work starting on either of these road schemes.”

Council Agenda information and documents.

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Visits: 120

A 2013 article by Yorkshire Life, provided a summary of life in Flockton. However, as mentioned by resident and campaigner for a Bypass, David Rawling, perhaps it's time for an update.

"One to consider. The “Link” was sunk, quite rightly, in the early 90s, as the planned road would have affected many more than a much smaller relief road that would do a similar job. i.e. take most of the traffic out of Flockton.

"Since then, Grange Moor Industrial Estate has appeared on the scene. 50 companies currently listed there. 3 separate (smallish admittedly) housing developments in Flockton and Grange Moor. The 2 ongoing developments and another planned in the village, along with a few others dotted about, will see approximately 225 new houses within our village having been built since the Link was proposed (and in fact, passed for construction at one point by Kirklees).

"Time that this was recognised. If these developments had all come at once, now, it’s almost certain the infrastructure would have been taken into account as Kirklees would be more than happy with their extra annual income from the rates (£350k pa, may be from houses alone) and wouldn't be worried about traffic being “encouraged” or “”moved quicker” into Waterloo, Dalton, Kirkheaton, etc., as they say they are now. Relieve Flockton with a relief road!"

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Visits: 62

Flockton villagers may, or may not, be aware of the TRO (Traffic Regulation Orders). This relates specifically to that sign you see at Grange Moor roundabout, and a second smaller one, coming down the hill.

So what's the problem?
The original TRO was written in 1971, using the terminology and language of the time. It was updated in 1992 to conform to metrication of the weight, but since then, Police have said that the prohibition cannot be enforced. This has led to a re-write, costing Kirklees Council £5,500. However, what the wording on the sign should say is up for some debate, as 'No access To M1 through Flockton village', didn't actually help residents.

As a further point of interest, Kirklees Council are apparently responsible for enforcement, according to documentation on their website: “The council's Civil Enforcement Officers enforce the Traffic Regulation Orders on the public highways.”

The feeling of the Bypass group, is that the sign should properly enforce the 'agreed with Wakefield' gyratory system, whereby HGVs over the stated weight limit, should only enter Flockton from the east side (Midgley side), towards Grange Moor, and not from Grange Moor, travelling eastwards through the village. Using a sign that says 'Except for access' could possibly be abused by HGV drivers, who pretend that they are making deliveries. To avoid any confusion, or excuses, HGVs should be made to enter and leave the village in only one direction – regardless of whether they are actually delivering, or not. We are not wishing to stop important local traffic, such as farmers, buses, or emergency vehicles – this is purely to prevent the through traffic of articulated lorries/HGVs over 7.5Tonnes in weight.

If after reading about the TRO for Flockton, you wish to have an opportunity to contact Kirklees to state your views or any preferences, contrary to those proposed, then use the information shown below:

If you go to this link, or click on the TRO image below, you will be able to access the documents located at the top of the listings:

Send grounds of your objection in writing to reach the undersigned by not later than 12th October 2018, quoting reference DEV/JE/D116-1804:

Julie Muscroft – Assistant Director – Legal, Governance and Monitoring Kirklees Council, 2nd Floor, High Street Buildings, High Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2ND

Or possibly by email: 

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Visits: 568

Kirklees Council should apply for government funding to pay for a much-needed bypass.

That’s the message from veteran Conservative councillor Bill Armer who said calls for a bypass for Flockton village date back to the 1930s.

And he accused Labour colleagues of being “defeatist” over the issue.

Clr Armer described the increasing volume of traffic passing through Flockton on the A637 Barnsley Road as “horrendous.”

Traffic engineers with Wakefield Council are unwilling to divert HGVs from Flockton through other villages in the Wakefield district or to support an HGV ban claiming it would move the problem further back to Horbury Bridge.

That stance echoes Kirklees Council’s position, with senior figures including Clr Peter McBride claiming a bypass at Flockton would have a knock-on effect on neighbouring areas including Kirkheaton, Waterloo and Bradley , and towards Cooper Bridge.

Clr McBride recently met with residents to listen to concerns.

 Read full article on Examiner Live.

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Visits: 77