Extra HGVs raise road safety fears

FRESH concerns have been raised about safety on a rural Kirklees road long considered to be an accident blackspot.

There are fears that 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.

Emley Fields, the site of a former coal mine unused since the late 1940s, will be restored for agricultural use by Taylor Hill Farm.

A traffic report to Kirklees Council planners indicates an average of 45 lorry loads per week rising to around eight loads per hour or 80 loads PER DAY during busy periods.

The soil will be delivered on 20-tonne tipper trucks. Before leaving the site, opposite Temple Quarry, the vehicles would pass through wheel washers.

Clr Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield) says HGVs accessing the site could use routes through Mirfield and Upper Hopton.

“My immediate concern is the increased HGV traffic on Liley Lane and other roads depending on where the fill material is coming from. That’s unknown at this time.

“Experience has shown that Kirklees Council either cannot or will not enforce planning or highways law to stop dirt being tracked from sites like this onto the highway making the road dangerous for other users.”

The B6118 between Grange Moor and Colne Bridge – part of which is Bellstring Lane – is notorious for accidents.

The winding country lane – often used as a