Dewsbury residents and councillors are demanding a pause on new Bradford Road cycle lanes, branding the roadworks “absurd” and “beyond dangerous”.

Roadworks to improve the A652 Bradford Road transport corridor are expected to last for around 50 weeks, with construction currently underway.

The initial hope was that the build would enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety along the route by introducing shared facilities for cyclists and pedestrians and creating a one-way system along Victoria Road and Rink Street.

Yet just months into construction, both residents and councillors have called for an urgent pause to the project, amid fears that the roadworks have made the new routes “beyond dangerous”, branding the move an “absurd” idea that “won’t work”.

Cafe owner Sharon McNulty has owned Grilled and Filtered for 22 years and fears the road 'won't work' in practice.

placeholder image — Cafe owner Sharon McNulty has owned Grilled and Filtered for 22 years and fears the road 'won't work' in practice.

Sharon McNulty, 59, has owned Grilled and Filtered for 22 years – but now, looking out at mounds of tarmac and “absurdly wide roads”, she fears for her business.

Sharon told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “There is no way trade from the people on the job will cover the costs we are losing, now there is no street parking.

“It’s not what was promised to us at all, and I don’t think it will work.”

She also raised concerns that the cycle lanes were a “waste of time”.

Coun Habiban Zaman is hoping that the new Reform UK cabinet and Kirklees Council will listen to the petition.

“I have only ever seen two cyclists take this road,” she said.

“There is no point making the pavements this wide. All it will do is make the road more unsafe. It’s beyond dangerous now.”

This was echoed by Councillor Habiban Zaman (Batley East), group leader of the Kirklees Independents, who has urged the council to revisit the plans for the road’s construction.

Despite being part of the Labour group that approved the initial plans, Coun Zaman warned that she was not in favour of the road to begin with and actively voted against the corridor’s approval.

Roadworks to improve the A652 Bradford Road Transport Corridor began earlier this year.

Now, she is hoping that the new Reform UK cabinet and Kirklees Council will listen to the petition.

Coun Zaman said: “The traffic is chaos, there are parking issues, businesses are complaining – it’s affecting so many people.

“The Kirklees Independents Group are now asking for a pause, a review and for the council to listen to residents.”

In response, Coun John Hardie, cabinet member for regeneration, highways and transport, said: “I have reviewed the Bradford Road scheme and am satisfied that the appropriate processes were followed throughout its development ahead of my appointment as cabinet member.

“This included opportunities for residents, businesses, emergency services and other key stakeholders to provide feedback during the consultation process, as well as measures to ensure local people were informed ahead of construction beginning.

“The scheme is intended to improve journey times for all highways users, reduce congestion and enhance road safety for everyone and forms part of a wider transport programme across the borough designed to modernise our transport network, improve connectivity and provide better access to jobs and education.

“I will be discussing the scheme and concerns raised within cabinet and with those ward councillors involved.

“Once the petition has been formally submitted to the council, officers will undertake a detailed review of what is being requested and ensure the organisers are kept informed throughout the process.

“I recognise that major infrastructure projects can generate opposing views. I will continue to listen to feedback from residents, businesses and road users on the scheme.”