Trader concerns over new parking barriers

Dewsbury Chamber of Trade heard the barriers at the Dewsbury railway station and Cliffe Street car parks were too low for some lorries and vans making deliveries or carrying stock for stalls.

It heard the barriers, which were put up earlier this month, came as a surprise to regular car park users.

Kirklees Council officer Gary Broadhead said: “Everything happened that quickly that we just had to go to get them in. We’ve apologised to everybody, including the West Riding pub.”

Travellers had taken over both car parks in recent months to the frustration of commuters, shoppers and businesses.

The barriers are designed to stop caravans being driven onto the sites – but this means some lorries and vans are also unable to gain access.

Mr Broadhead said market traders were being encouraged to used Camroyd Street’s car park as an alternative to Cliffe Street.

And he promised to review the current arrangements if problems persisted.

“If you give us two or three weeks, we’ll see what develops from it,” he said.

“We’ve got options we can look at. We’re here to support as much business as we can.”

Five parking spaces were lost at the railway station to make room for a turning circle for the free bus, and new signage is due to go up soon.