Kirklees’ Greens have welcomed action on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) that ‘flout’ weight limits on local roads.
Yesterday (9 June), we reported that the council had launched a consultation on its plans to undertake a ‘moving traffic enforcement’ trial. This would allow the local authority to assist the police in minimising breaches of existing traffic restrictions.
Among the benefits are: reduced congestion, improved journey times, road safety and air quality, according to the council. If motorists ignore the order, they may receive a fine, with income raised to be used on: recouping the cost of enforcement; public transport provision; highway improvement projects; and environmental improvements in Kirklees.
The council initially plans to enforce the following actions at these locations:
- Weight restrictions – Armitage Road, Armitage Bridge
- One way limit (HGV) – Barnsley Road, Flockton
- No left turn – Child Lane, Mirfield
- Two yellow boxes – Heckmondwike Bus Station
- No left turn – Scar Lane, Milnsbridge
- No entry – Willwood Avenue/Weymouth Avenue, Lindley
The move has been welcomed by Leader of Kirklees’ Greens, Cllr Andrew Cooper (Newsome), especially in respect of the plans at Armitage Bridge and Flockton. He said: “The Green Party have been calling for action on HGVs that ignore the weight restrictions in Armitage Bridge and Flockton for a long time. We are pleased that action is finally being taken.
“In our 2023/24 Budget amendment we specifically asked for a ‘trial of enforcement of weight limits using Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras in two locations, Flockton and Armitage Bridge’. We are obviously really pleased that something we have been asking the council to take action on is going to be implemented.
“It is 10 years since we successfully campaigned with local residents to get a weight limit through Armitage Bridge. The ongoing issue has been the lack of enforcement of the weight limit. The introduction of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will be welcomed by many local residents in the village.
“The weight restrictions in An Armitage Bridge and Flockton are there for a reason. We see frequent stand-offs between HGVs in Armitage Bridge blocking this narrow road and vehicle damage. In Flockton HGVs often ignore the weight restriction there to get to the M1 a little bit quicker causing misery for many local residents.
“If these trials are successful we are keen to see them rolled out in other hotspots for motor offences in Kirklees.”
A survey is running until Sunday, 7 July, so the public can have its say on the proposals. Kirklees Council will then consider the results, alongside street audits for each site, to determine whether to apply to the Department for Transport (DfT) for these new powers of enforcement.
If an application is submitted, DfT are required to approve it. It will then go before Parliament for official approval. A decision is likely to be reached in November 2025. A link to the consultation is here. Paper copies of the survey are also available in libraries across Kirklees.
