Watch: Fears over road safety in Brighouse town centre

Delayed roadworks in the town centre on Huddersfield Road around Sainsbury’s have seen the priority traffic flow change at the roundabout.

However, no warning or “Give Way” signs have been erected to tell motorists about the changes.

Steven Lord, from Harrison Lord Gallery on Bradford Road, expressed his concern with daily near misses as vehicles navigate the new road layout.

“Over the weekend the change in priority was made,” he said.

“There are no give way signs and it is now a daily thing of hearing horns blowing and the screeching of tyres.

“It’s a recipe for disaster and it is only by chance there have not been any accidents.”

Previously traffic travelling down from Rastrick on Huddersfield Road would give way to motorists on the ring road.

Now road markings introduced have changed this, meaning traffic from the ring road will have to give way to vehicles on Huddersfield Road.

A new highway development has been under construction that will change the traffic flow since autumn 2014 and was due to be completed by December last year.

However, the project has overrun by four months.

The issue was raised at Brighouse ward forum where residents were told that contractors hired by Sainsbury’s are completing the roadworks but the council is monitoring the situation to ensure the work is completed as soon as possible.

The changes will see a new right hand turn heading into and out of Mill Lane and will also see the introduction of more traffic lights on the ring road around the town centre.

Calderdale Council’s Head of Planning and Highways, Geoff Willerton, said: “Work is almost complete on the new traffic scheme in Brighouse town centre, allowing people to drive in and out of Sainsbury’s car park more easily.

“To make the scheme work effectively, it has been necessary to change the layout of the road. New road markings are now in place although signals are yet to go live.

“In the meantime, temporary ‘Give Way’ signs have been placed by the new markings and we have asked the contractor to provide some temporary ‘Changed priorities ahead’ signs, to ensure that drivers are aware of the altered road layout.”