A Kirklees “accident blackspot” could soon be getting a speed camera, thanks to a petition backed by over 3,000 residents.
The petition, launched earlier this year by Kirkburton ward councillor, John Taylor (Con), demanded immediate steps were taken to improve road safety at the Carr Lane/Cross Lane junction and the neighbouring Sovereign junction in Shepley. The junctions are said to pose a “serious risk” to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, with local residents and road users witnessing “frequent near-misses and collisions”.
But this could soon be changing as Councillor Taylor says the council has agreed that the area qualifies for a speed camera to help tackle the number and severity of accidents. At this moment in time, no date has been set for when this will come into force, but the councillor vowed that he “won’t stop pushing” until it is installed.
He added: “I am really pleased that Kirklees have listened to local people who have become increasingly concerned about the risks at these junctions, not just the accidents but also the numbers of near misses. I would also like to thank everyone who signed the petition – over 3,100 people – as this would never have happened without their support.
“I am still pushing for further action. I would like to see a reduction in the speed limit to 30mph on the approaches to Lane Head Road from both Barnsley Road and Carr Lane as I believe this may also help reduce the number of incidents here. It does show that people power can make a difference.”
The council has already made a commitment to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Vision Zero initiative which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries on the region’s roads by 2040. The aim is to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured (KSI) on our roads by 50% by 2030, and to zero by 2040.
