Danger turning is a ‘terrible mistake’ waiting to happen

Cars often have to wait to turn into the Esso Garage and Tesco Express store.

Coun Paul Kane has called on the owners of the Esso Garage in Wakefield Road to create a waiting area to stop hold-ups on the busy main road.

A motorcyclist was injured recently when he ran into the back of a car which was waiting to enter the forecourt.

There have been a number of fatalities on the road over the years.

Councillors refused an application to extend the shop and turn it into a Tesco Express in 2007, because of traffic concerns, but the decision was overturned on appeal.

Now Coun Kane (Lab, Dews East) has written to Esso’s regional manager for Yorkshire and the Planning Inspectorate to raise the issue.

He said he felt vindicated in the planning committee’s original decision.

He added: “It’s both a busy road and a well-used store. Traffic builds up while vehicles queue. People can get very frustrated while driving. And if someone decides they can’t wait, they could end up making a terrible mistake.”

Esso also owns a patch of waste land next to the site, which Coun Kane said would be ideal for a waiting area or car park.

He said it would only cost around £15,000 to do so.

“For the sake of that community it should be developed,” he added.

Esso did not respond to a request for a comment.