Dewsbury streets to become one-way system after 24-year campaign

Highways chiefs are to introduce an experimental one-way system on two Dewsbury streets in an attempt to speed up traffic flow in a bottleneck area.
By Tony Earnshaw, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Published 28th Jul 2021, 07:00 BST
Updated 28th Jul 2021, 08:36 BST
The view down Warren Street, in Savile Town, Dewsbury, which is to become one-way following years of campaigning by locals.The view down Warren Street, in Savile Town, Dewsbury, which is to become one-way following years of campaigning by locals.
The view down Warren Street, in Savile Town, Dewsbury, which is to become one-way following years of campaigning by locals.

The move at Warren Street and Chapel Street in Savile Town follows more than 20 years of campaigning and petitions by residents and local councillors.

Former councillor Gulfam Asif is particularly pleased by Kirklees Council’s decision, as he made several promises during his election campaign in 2016. One was to make Warren Street a one-way route.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “Residents have been asking for a one way traffic on Warren Street for the last 24 years.

Gulfam Asif, the former Labour councillor for Dewsbury South, who says a move to tackle a local bottleneck by making the road one-way is long overdueGulfam Asif, the former Labour councillor for Dewsbury South, who says a move to tackle a local bottleneck by making the road one-way is long overdue
Gulfam Asif, the former Labour councillor for Dewsbury South, who says a move to tackle a local bottleneck by making the road one-way is long overdue

“Driving a few hundred yards on this street can take over 15 minutes as this is the main road in and out with local shops and two major mosques at each end of the street.”

He said petitions raised in past years had not garnered the appropriate levels of support – and money to progress the notion of one-way travel was a problem.

Highways engineers expect to install the new system by January. An experimental traffic regulation order (TRO) will run for 18 months. It can be “tweaked” during its first six months of operation and residents can raise any objections.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After 18 months the council will decide whether to remove the TRO or make it permanent.

The one-way system will run on Warren Street from Headfield Road to South Street, and on Chapel Street from South Street to Warren Street.

New signs are to be installed along with traffic management barriers. White lining will also be changed. This will take place on Warren Street, Chapel Street and some adjacent streets.

Residents have been asked to be patient during the installation of the scheme and to adhere to changes once signing is visible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Highways engineers have also urged people to let the new layout “settle” before passing judgement “as changes are often uncomfortable when first introduced”.

Mr Asif, who served one term representing Dewsbury South on Kirklees Council following his election in 2016, lost a vote within his branch Labour Party to stand in May 2020 and was de-selected.

The poll was won by branch secretary Jackie Ramsay, who stood as Labour’s candidate in the ward in May this year and won the seat.

She supports the one-way system alongside ward colleagues Nosheen Dad and Masood Ahmed.

Related topics:DewsburyKirklees CouncilResidentsTRO