Issue - meetings

The Committee will consider objections recived to Traffic Regulation Orders associated with A638 Dewsbury - Cleckheaton Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) scheme.

Contacts:

Jason Jones - Principal Engineer, Highways Major Design
Armin Alisic – Project Manager, Kirklees Major Projects

That the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with A638 Dewsbury - Cleckheaton Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) scheme be overruled and that the TRO’s be made and implemented as advertised.

The Committee considered the objections received to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with A638 Dewsbury – Cleckheaton Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) scheme.

The report was presented by Armin Alisic, Project Officer and Jason Jones, Principal Engineer who gave an overview of the consultation and design process . It was advised that the routes affected by the TRO proposals (as set out in the report) formed part of the A638 corridor, a key strategic route extending from Oakenshaw to Dewsbury via Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike. The scheme was part of the wider Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme and aimed to support a shift towards sustainable transport by prioritising bus services and improving active travel infrastructure along strategic corridors.

The overall scheme was subject to a number of public engagement events during its concept and design stages over the past 4 years, resulting in the approved detail design which was approved at Cabinet September 2024. Public engagement events included all relevant Ward Councillors.

Following a number of rounds of consultation, scheme amendments and modifications, the final proposals were approved, and the required traffic regulation orders to support these proposals were formally advertised from 20 February 2025 to 13 March 2025. During that time 141 objections were received.

Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 37, the Cabinet Committee – Local Issues received representations from, Jean Tottie , Michael Brown, Mohammed Said, Lindsey Sutherland, Katie Dingle, Rosie Watson and Martin Preistley,

Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 36(1), Cabinet received representations from Councillors Andrew Pinnock and Councillor Lawson.

Officers responded to the representations made and the Committee noted that the recommended Options were 1a, 2a and 3a as set out in the report.

The Committee thanked all those who attended for providing their views and comments but highlighted it was important to note that the Committee was considering the advertised TRO’s only and could not overturn decisions already made relating to concerns around construction , disruption and biodiversity. Issues relating to increased congestion as a result of introducing the bus lane were acknowledged but the Committee did not feel that the bus lane would exacerbate this. The importance of considering future bus provision not just the existing infrastructure was also highlighted. Having considered all the information presented verbally and in writing, the Committee agreed that;

RESOLVED: That the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with A638 Dewsbury - Cleckheaton Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) scheme be overruled and that the TRO’s be made and implemented as advertised.