£2 million Ainley Top roundabout works complete

Eric Wright Civil Engineering has spent nearly two months completing the works on the A629 roundabout, and managing director Diane Bourne also believes the improvements will reduce congestion on the notoriously busy stretch of road.

“We are confident that our work will reduce congestion, drastically improve access for all vehicles and pedestrians whilst reducing the number of accidents at this busy junction,” she said.

“Throughout the project there has been minimal disruption for residents, whilst the work has also been completed just in time for the Tour de France.”

The works on the Huddersfield roundabout, funded by kirklees Council, include widening the centre into three lanes, with new traffic lights on each approach and exit to manage congestion. There are also improved footways, cycle routes, wider slip roads and new signage, whilst the speed limit has also be reduced to 40mph.

The new traffic lights and signals will control traffic movements so drivers will no longer need to find gaps in fast-moving traffic whilst pedestrians will also be able to use new ‘red and green figure’ crossing facilities.

The A629 roundabout is a key route for thousands of vehicles every day and will support additional traffic from a new housing development on the nearby Lindley Moor.

Coun Peter McBride, joint Kirklees cabinet member for Place, said: “The Ainley Top roundabout is one of the busiest road networks in West Yorkshire and this significant investment will improve the flow of traffic, whilst ensuring that all road users and pedestrians experience much easier and safer journeys.”