King of the jams
HUDDERSFIELD ROUTE ONE OF MOST CONGESTED IN UK
A MAIN road which runs from Huddersfield to Dewsbury is one of the most congested in the UK, research has revealed.
Traffic data firm Inrix named Leeds Road/Huddersfield Road among the top 15 most affected by traffic jams.
Motorists who use the route waste an average of 40 hours per year sitting in traffic. It is ranked the 9th most congested in the UK.
UK-wide, road users lost about 178 hours each to congestion in 2018, according to Inrix. The estimated value of the time lost was £7.9bn, or £1,317 per driver.
Roads in London, including the North Circular Road, were named in the top three most congested.
Residents living on Leeds Road in Huddersfield described the congestion as worsening but others said they had become accustomed to it.
Thomas Starkey, 77, who has lived on Leeds Road at Bradley for around 30 years, described the traffic outside his front door as ‘horrendous’.
He told the Examiner : “When I came here it wasn’t too bad.
“The only times it clears are on Saturday and Sunday morning.
“I don’t notice the fumes but I do see the dust, particularly in summer.
“The dirt lands on cars and window sills. If you leave windows open in the summer it’s horrendous when the dust comes in.”
He added: “When I visit other people’s houses I notice how peaceful and quiet it is. I have never had that here.”
The retired electrician believes traffic on Leeds Road may increase with the proposed £70m relief road and viaduct designed to cut congestion at Cooper Bridge.
“I think people will use it more as it will be a quicker way to get to the motorway.”
Amanda Dailly, who has lived on Leeds Road for many years, said that sitting in her front garden was out of the question because of the noisy traffic.
“Bradley has lost its identity as a village – it’s just become a corridor.”
Mrs Dailly blamed the congestion for making it harder to sell a house in Leeds Road.
“It’s difficult to sell,” she added. “A house nearby has been up for sale for quite a long time.”
Another resident said: “I have to wash my car three or four times a week. We have to keep our windows shut because of all the noise and dust.”
The Department for Transport said money was being invested in public transport to ease congestion.
In November Kirklees Council said it was spending millions of pounds to beat bottlenecks on the A62 Leeds Road.
Phase one of the project will focus on a 2km stretch of the road running from Northumberland Street in the town centre to Old Fieldhouse Lane, which is used by 28,000 vehicles each day.
The big signal junction of Great Northern Street/Gasworks Street will be re-designed to improve the gyratory by reducing congestion around the entrance to the retail park.
The A62 proposals include separate cycle ways and on-road cycle lanes and new trees and planting.