Thousands sign petition over 'accident blackspot'

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for stricter safety measures at a junction labelled an "accident blackspot" by local residents.

The petition, calling on Kirklees Council to improve road safety on Lane Head Road in Shepley, Huddersfield, has received more than 3,000 signatures, meaning it will trigger a debate over the concerns at a full council meeting.

Kirkburton Conservative councillor John Taylor, who started the petition, said there had already been "seven or eight" accidents on the road so far this year.

Munir Ahmed, Kirklees Council's cabinet member for environment and highways, said improving road safety was "a priority".

Debbie and Roger Griffin, who had both backed the petition, said their car had been written off in a crash on Lane Head Road, at the junction with Carr Lane, earlier this year.

"We were extremely lucky not to be seriously injured," said Mr Griffin.

The couple, who have lived in nearby Stocksmoor for almost 30 years, said the road had "always been known for being quite a risky area".

"It's got even worse in recent years," added Mr Griffin.

According to the website CrashMap, there had been eight collisions on Lane Head Road at the junctions with Carr Lane, Cross Lane and the A635, known as the Sovereign Junction, between 2019 and 2023.

Five of the crashes, of which none were fatal, took place in 2023, which was the last year for which data was available.

Emily Townsend, who works on Lane Head Road, described it as "unbelievably dangerous".

Ms Townsend added: "We constantly hear, on a daily basis, the horns and the screeches - and you almost brace for that impact."

Taylor claimed the road was "getting worse", adding that "something needs to change".

The petition, which labelled the road an "accident blackspot", called on the council to conduct a full safety assessment, to work with the police to tackle speeding and to introduce traffic-calming measures.

Responding, Ahmed said the council was "committed to our active role in the West Yorkshire Vision Zero partnership to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries across the region".

"We welcome petitions, such as this one, as they are an important tool for communities to raise their concerns," he said.

"Once the petition has been submitted to the council, our officers will undertake a detailed review of what is being requested, and ensure organisers are kept informed."

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