Category: Bypass

Another Quiz Night at the Sun

Jo, at the Sun Inn, has been very supportive of the Bypass campaign and has given the go ahead for another raffle to raise a bit more money. It was a great night last time, and the winners are donating their prize of Prosecco for this one! “The Bypassers” will be looking to hold on to their title!

Visits: 51

Lorry drivers will be reminded that they cannot drive through a clogged up village to get out of Huddersfield.

Kirklees Council has said it is reviewing the legal ins and outs of its road traffic law that bans heavy good vehicles driving through Flockton from Grange Moor to the M1.

An order has been in place since 1971 restricting all vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from travelling eastbound through the narrow village roads. (Read full article – The Huddersfield Daily Examiner).

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Some people believe that money for a Flockton village bypass would have to come out of Kirklees Council's, already under strain, budget and that in any case, Kirklees wouldn't have a say, since the decision comes from central Government. However, this is not true. The reason that Flockton villagers have once again requested a bypass, is because the Government announced at the end of last year, that it was going to make funding available to Councils that wanted to propose much needed bypass schemes. Flockton is one of those who are asking Kirklees to debate the need and present their case to the Government.

David Rawling posted on The Huddersfield Examiner's facebook page: "Kirklees have a say and have had 2 opportunities recently to put this right. But for some reason, chose not to.
1. West Yorkshire Combined Authority – West Yorkshire ‘Plus’ Transport Fund
2. Department for Transport – Proposals for the creation of a Major Road Network
As announced over 2 years ago for councils to submit their proposals. Which Kirklees announced in The Examiner, pre-Xmas, when people were generally preoccupied. It was not missed by one or two in Flockton, however. I’ll bet certain councillors wish it had been now! So. Won’t cost Kirklees a penny. But “plans” may need a rethink!

"It doesn’t matter to villagers where the money comes from. As long as it comes, and by whoever would like to get the job done the quickest!"

Visits: 143

Please continue to support our Flockton Bypass campaign by giving out leaflets or buying banners and car stickers.

You can download a leaflet here, or also get leaflets from the Flockton Club*, that are being distributed to local businesses, explaining the bypass campaign. Also displayed, is the agenda for the meeting the steering group had (on Monday 26 February 2018) so people can see what we are discussing at the meetings.

Orders for car stickers, at £2 each, can be placed at the bar. Please show your support by buying one (or two!). Your £2 includes a 25p donation to charities supported by the Yorkshire Beardsmen.

  

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*[Old] Post Office in Flockton, Working Mens Club, 157 Barnsley Road, Flockton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4AA
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Location map

Visits: 100

As of 25 February 2018, we have collected 3,500 signatures*, ready to present to Kirklees Council, next month, to force a debate on the Flockton bypass, in the Council Chamber.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this goal. (Any additional signatures will be added to our list).

Keep checking this website for other things we are doing in support of the Flockton Bypass campaign, and if you feel able to support us through buying and displaying a car sticker or banner, this will keep public awareness active throughout the campaign.

 

*We wanted to receive a few extra, in case of duplications between online and paper signatures.

Visits: 62

 

As of Friday 23 February 2018, our Petition has 3,320 signatures. We now only need 180 to make sure we cover any duplications.

"Well done to everyone who has been involved and those who have signed. Couldn't have got this far without you all. Thank you so much." – Kathryn Middleton

Visits: 49

Flockton villagers are in full swing with their campaign to petition Kirklees Council for a bypass.

Graham and Carolyne

(Our banners have been produced with the support of CES Sign Studio, Wakefield)

We will continue to produce posters & leaflets and position wherever possible in the village, in legal locations and with the permission of residents.

Visits: 117

A walk through Flockton village has been organised, with Chief Executive of Kirklees Council, Jacqui Gedman and local families, for Thursday 1 March 2018.

Due to the possibility of further severe weather this week, the planned morning visit by Jacqui Gedman has had to be postponed.

Jacqui was going to walk to school with parents and children to get a view of the road safety concerns held by many in the village.

We are hoping to rearrange this visit for later in the month and will keep you informed.

Mr Cappleman (Head at Flockton C of E (C) First School) will meet Jacqui Gedman at the school from 8:30 am with Cllr John Taylor. They will then walk up into the village to meet families coming down the other way. It is hoped too, that on return to the safety of the school, some parents and children will have the opportunity to speak to Jacqui, about the problems they face with traffic.

Visits: 245

On Friday 2 February 2018, a few of the Flockton Bypass Steering Group met with Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport.

Left to right: Back: Councillors: Bill Armer, Richard Smith, John Taylor
Front: Elena Delaney, Kath Middleton, Chris Grayling, Jimmy Paxton

"A really positive meeting, thank you to the three councillors who put our case forward in such an eloquent and informed manner. I know everything takes time but I felt like Chris Grayling really listened to our plight." – Elena Delaney (Flockton Resident)

Kirkburton Conservative Clr Richard Smith said:

“It wasn't a meeting where he could promise us anything, but it was an opportunity to discuss what’s important to the residents in Flockton.

“We showed him maps and talked about the need and he emphasised how much Kirklees and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (which runs a £1bn-plus transport programme) can do.

“For us this isn’t a political issue, it’s a safety issue for our residents and it’s an issue Kirklees should deal with.

“We want a debate in Kirklees and then we want to get the Combined Authority to consider it.”

You can read more about this in the The Huddersfield Daily Examiner here

The visit also sparked a bit of controversy in the House of Commons

Visits: 155

As many villages in Flockton know, requests for a bypass have been made previously. David Rawling has rediscovered these links to Commons Transcripts, from two of those occasions.

TRANSPORT (FLOCKTON BY-PASS)
HC Deb 17 February 1970 vol 796 cc370-8

TRANSPORT (FLOCKTON BYPASS)
HC Deb 25 April 1972 vol 835 cc1505-12

"My file on the Flockton bypass is larger than any other file I have accumulated in the 27 years or so that I have been a Member." – Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu (Huddersfield, East)

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The A637 is on the Indicative Major Road Network as part of the Major Road Network. Consultation, including which schemes will be eligible for funding, ENDS IN 47 DAYS at 11:45 am on 19 March 2018. Not long then if this is the route being taken (for funding that is).

To confirm David's research, check out Major Road Network proposals and consultations on www.gov.uk. Both under News Story and Dpt for Transport. Published 23rd December 2017, from the Dpt for Transport and the Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling MP.

Visits: 152