Author: Richard G

4 June 2019

For some time now, a number of coaches have been passing through Flockton, from the Grange Moor end of the village, towards the M1. Cllr Kathryn Middleton has been trying to get this situation changed for some time and now it looks as if more will finally be done.

No buses over 8 seats

"National Holidays have been illegally travelling through Flockton daily. I have been unable to get them to stop, but Joe today has spoken to them and is arranging to put the 'No buses over 8 seats' signs in place." – Cllr Kathryn Middleton

Joe Walker (Principal Engineer, Highway Safety, Kirklees Council) says:

"I've rung National Express and whilst the chap I spoke to was in agreement that the current signs should be sufficient, we agreed that  some drivers may interpret them differently. The TRO covers coaches, so  we are able to add 'no coaches' signs without needing another Order.  This is annoying as it’s a technicality, but these things are sent to  try us.

"I'll visit site this week to assess what can be done, and get the extra  signs up asap." – Joe Walker

 

Views: 212

Kathryn Middleton, resident and campaigner for a Flockton Bypass, is continuing to contact companies who flout the vehicle access rules from the Grange Moor end of the village. The latest TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) in the form of the weight restriction sign for HGVs, is now enforcible by Police and only specific HGVs, such as emergency vehicles, service buses, and local farm vehicles, are permitted to enter the village from that direction.

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Name: Mrs kathryn middleton

Sent: 15 April 2019 17:16
To: Info National Holidays

Enquiry:

Please could you tell your drivers to follow the diversion signs instead of travelling illegally through Flockton village on the A637 from Grange Moor roundabout. A new Transport Regulation Order from Kirklees Council has stopped all coaches over 7.5T from 12/4/19. The road is too narrow and is a serious accident waiting to happen. Thank you.

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Subject: National Holidays
Date: 2019-04-15 18:42
From: National Customer Services <>

Good evening Mrs Middleton,

Thank you for your email in regards to our coach fleet.

I have confidentially passed your comments onto the Operational Manager to address with all drivers.

In closing, please be assured of my best intentions.

Kind Regards,

Hazel Hall
Customer Services Supervisor
National Holidays
www.nationalholidays.com
Tel: 01246 223939

Views: 195

Wednesday 10 April 2019

A couple of articles:

ExaminerLive:

Police have backed calls to restrict trucks, articulated lorries and other HGVs travelling through a traffic-clogged rural village on the outskirts of Huddersfield.

It has prompted Kirklees Council to re-draft a 48-year-old order banning vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes from travelling eastbound on the narrow A637 through Flockton.

Emergency services and local buses, as well as utility, farm and residents’ vehicles, are unaffected.

Police back calls to ban trucks and HGVs from Flockton village

Wakefield Express:

Heavy goods vehicles will soon have to steer clear of roads going through Flockton – or face action.

Weight restrictions have been in place on various roads through Flockton, Emley and Middlestown for almost 50 years in a bid to reduce the amount of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

Here's why heavy good vehicles are banned for this Yorkshire village

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Views: 238

14 February 2019

Paula Sherriff (Dewsbury) (Lab)
"The A637 runs through the lovely village of Flockton in my constituency. It is a narrow road and is increasingly used by rat runners and HGVs, despite a prohibition order. There have been many instances of reckless driving and some near misses. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can make life safer for the people who live in Flockton?"

Jesse Norman
"If it is a purely local road, I am of course happy to look into the matter but it really falls to the local authority. If there is scope for the road to be part of the major roads network, which, as the hon. Lady will know, is precisely designed to relieve some of the pressures on local communities and the strategic road network, we can have that conversation as well."

See House of Commons Hansard, Rural Roads: HGV Traffic, here.

David Rawlings (Flockton resident and bypass campaigner)
"Doesn’t seem that Jesse Norman even knows that the road through our village IS ON the MRN!"

Views: 134

A report by the Examiner Live, 8 February 2019, suggests "new fears for road safety on accident blackspot Bellstring Lane."

A tipping plan to “restore land for agricultural use” could result in more heavy trucks on the M1-M62 shortcut route, and fresh concerns have been raised about safety on the rural Kirklees road, long considered to be an accident blackspot.

"The B6118 Liley Lane in Grange Moor, could become further congested by large HGVs delivering 90,000 tonnes of top soil and inert sub soil to restore derelict land." (Read full article)

Views: 85

This photograph by Flockton resident, Scot W, graphically shows why Flockton village really needs a bypass.

Views: 106

Flockton residents have received a letter regarding the proposed 20 mph speed limit, due to come into force in parts of the village, later this year.

All residents are encouraged to respond to the survey and you can complete it by going to this link: kirklees.gov.uk/flocktonsurvey

The survey will be live from Monday 21 January till Friday 22 February 2019.

Once the scheme has been on site for 6 months, a further survey will be produced to evaluate post scheme views.

Views: 195