Conservative Councillors in Rastrick are extremely disappointed at the Council’s decision to install speed bumps on Birds Royd Lane, a road which mainly serves industrial traffic and is due for a total reconstruction. This proposal will also make the speed bumps scheme in Woodhouse redundant.
Recently, a speed bump installation scheme has been taking place in Woodhouse, the scheme was developed to deter industrial traffic from using the estate as a short cut to Birds Royd from Huddersfield Road. The Council has now decided to install speed bumps on Birds Royd Lane, which will make the Woodhouse scheme ineffective and will not deter industrial traffic travelling through the area.
Only last month, Birds Royd Lane was allocated £250,000 to begin feasibility studies for a full reconstruction, as it is a failed road. This would result in the newly installed speed bumps being ripped up soon when the full reconstruction works take place. This is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.
Very disappointingly, Calderdale’s Highways Department did not consult with local Conservative councillors about the scheme, and knowledge of the proposals were only uncovered due to a conversation with a business owner on Birds Royd Lane who had also not been consulted about the speed bump scheme.
Cllr Sophie Whittaker (Rastrick) said: "This is a spectacular waste of taxpayers' money. Birds Royd Lane is a failed road. We have fought long and hard alongside residents and businesses to get it prioritised for full reconstruction. Early this year, we were pleased that the Council finally allocated funding to do just that - only to hear two months later that they are installing speed bumps.
“By installing speed bumps on Birds Royd Lane this will make the Woodhouse scheme wholly redundant and revert the estate into a rat-run. This, added to the idea that laying speed bumps on a road that largely serves industrial traffic and is to be ripped up in the next year or two, is completely irresponsible of the Council.
“Either the Council departments have failed to speak to one another on this occasion, or they are blasé about managing the public purse. Whichever it is, this is total incompetence."
Your Rastrick Councillors will be holding Calderdale Council to account to ensure that the full reconstruction of Birds Royd is going ahead without the pointless installation of speed bumps in the meantime. Please help us represent your views by filling out this survey: https://www.calderdaleconservatives.uk/form/birds-royd-lane-
