Councillors want swift action after latest Hill blaze
THERE have been calls for Kirklees Council to act swiftly to protect iconic Castle Hill by installing an automatically retractable bollard on a narrow access road.
It follows another fire on the hill over the last weekend as people took advantage of relaxed lockdown restrictions.
Local councillors have come together to put pressure on the Labour-led administration to secure the landmark at night.
Andrew Cooper, a Green councillor for Newsome, stopped short of backing calls for Castle Hill to be patrolled.
Instead he suggested spending around £5,000 on an automatically retractable bollard and called on the council to fund it.
And he said if the council didn’t pay for it then he and fellow councillors in Almondbury might be able to find funds from their ward budgets.
He commented: “The council as a body needs to take responsibility for Castle Hill.
“I’ve requested that a bollard be used to close Castle Hill Side at night.
“People would still be able to get up onto the hill but miscreants in vehicles would not.
“That would make a heck of a lot of difference.”
Fire crews were called to the hill over the weekend to tackle a blaze in tinder dry conditions.
Clr Alison Munro (Lib Dem, Almondbury), who is a leading campaigner to safeguard Castle Hill, said: “There have been several wildfires across our area in the last few days.
“I understand people want to enjoy the warm weather but it has made the vegetation very dry. We have to behave responsibly.
“Public Space Protection Orders put in place by the authority must be maintained and enforced so that Castle Hill and our green spaces can be safely enjoyed by everyone.”
Her ward colleague Clr Bernard McGuin (Con, Almondbury) said he had visited the hill last Friday and had seen evidence of people using disposable barbecues. “That’s against the law.
“The rangers that look after Castle Hill are worried about these barbecues, but people are using them during the day. It’s more difficult at night.
“It’s really about being able to police the site. The police and the council cannot do that adequately.
“People don’t seem to be aware about the rules - or they’re not bothered. The lockdown seems to be breaking down.
“There have been several fires. Unfortunately the people concerned haven’t been caught by the fire brigade in time.
“My concern is that it will happen again.
“Anyone caught has to get a proper fine for doing it. It’s such a blatant breach. Should they be prosecuted? Absolutely.”
Clr Cooper added: “Castle Hill is an icon of Huddersfield. It’s something that has a special place in local people’s psyches. Looking after it is an important thing for the council to do.”