Here come the delays! Lengthy road works could hurt traders

Kirklees Council revealed on Monday that motorists will face eight weeks of disruption while the authority carries out “essential” resurfacing work on Bradford Road from Febraury 29.

Business owners say the works on the road, which connects Cleckheaton, Liversedge and Heckmondwike, could be damaging to local trade.

Simon Thirkill, chairman of Heckmondwike Business Alliance, said: “Roadworks like this are never going to affect our businesses in a good way, we know from bitter experiences in the area that it does affect trade.

“The work has to be done, there’s so many homes being built and the infrastructure has to be improved.

“But the last set of roadworks in Heckmondwike town centre last year was really disruptive.”

The resurfacing begins at the end of the month on the A638 Bradford Road between Manor Park Road in Cleckheaton and Leeds Road in Liversedge.

It will be carried out over eight weeks until April 22.

One section of the road between Ings Road and Leeds Road will be completely closed to traffic on Sundays between 8am-5pm as part of the work.

The council said there will be a signposted diversion route and they are advising motorists to leave extra time for journeys.

Remaining sections of the road will remain open but temporary traffic lights will be in place during the roadworks.

Work from Knowler Hill to Ings Road in Liversedge will take place between 9.30am-3.30pm.

Resurfacing in the town from Manor Park Road to Knowler Hill will be carried out between 6.30pm-11pm.

The council said the times were arranged to avoid rush hour traffic.