Ossett News Posted October 10, 2020 Report Share Posted October 10, 2020 Week ending Saturday 10th October 2020 I delivered over 180 consultation letters to the properties on Green Lane and the Sycamores in Horbury Junction. This letter outlined a proposal that had come from talking with residents of those two streets. The problem is speeding cars, who believe these two narrow residential areas are a racetrack, to and from Horbury Lagoons. The letter gave details of the creation of a 20 mile per hour zone which would clearly signpost that the area has a reduced speed limit, expecting those who use the road to travel at a suitable speed for the area. This zone will only be introduced if the majority of residents want the speed reducing. Residents have 2 ways of letting me know their views, they can either write to a freepost address or respond via 20mphzone@darrenbyford.co.uk I often get asked about schools and crossing patrols. The school is responsible for employing all of their staff, including crossing patrols. If a school chooses not to have a crossing control person on roads close to their schools, that is their choice. Wakefield Council does not control any of the schools in Horbury and South Ossett, they all make their own choices on how to spend their own budgets. You may have seen me laying cobbles on Carter Street in Wakefield, yes, I did say cobbles. In my cabinet role, I was able to see the good work being carried out to restore some heritage sites using funding obtained from Heritage England, Wakefield Council and private investment. Each cobble weighs around 10 – 15 kg – that’s heavy when posing for a photograph. For your information, I was sat in a hole! The following day I was visiting a factory on Silkwood Park. Here they make production line robots, used across the world in food manufacturing factories. If you have ever watched the TV programme Food Factory, you may well have seen some of their equipment packaging items from chocolate bars to tea bags. Who would have thought that on the edge of our ward we would have such a high-tech manufacturing facility? This week has seen the introduction of free car parking in Council operated facilities. This affects Ossett in our immediate area, but due to drivers ignoring the time limits on each car park. It means that shoppers are finding it difficult to park and use our great local shops. So, from next week, the Council will be enforcing time limits and issuing tickets to those who are outstaying their welcome. Let’s support all our shops in Horbury, Ossett and across the district. On Thursday morning I spent a good hour in Horbury town centre, chatting to shoppers and locals who were out for a walk. It never fails to amaze me, who I meet on my walkabouts. I finished my morning off with lunch in of our top-quality cafes. A sandwich and a bowl of soup in Horbury never fails to satisfy. I called into Horbury Library on Thursday to support their ‘Word Fest’ programme. This is a great way to introduce younger children to books and to encourage older children to read a bit more and to enjoy reading. There is an amazing range of great books in all of Wakefield’s Libraries. I also left a selection of Haribo Halloween themed sweets for younger library users to enjoy. Call in if you get a moment with your children or grandchildren and collect a small bag of free sweeties. For the last 4 years I have had many dealings with the subway that runs underneath Horbury by-pass outside the Primary School. The subway is used for many purposes many of which it was not designed for and causes problems for users, residents and the school. A long-term solution is needed. Working with Wakefield Council’s Highways department we have created a plan for the removal of the subway, replacing it with a Pelican type crossing on the road surface. It is worth remembering that this subway is used by many people throughout the day other than school children. The A642 is a very busy road and drivers do not always slow down as they pass our schools. So, with the introduction of a Pelican style crossing, traffic will be slowed, allowing safe crossing and allowing cars to join the A642 from the many side roads that feed the bypass. Over the next few months, plans will be published showing the new crossing. Subject to consultation and the funding being secured, I am hopeful that the work will be done around the school summer holidays next year. There will be some disruption to traffic, but in the long run it will be better for all who need to cross the busy A642. On Facebook, many comments have been made about a similar crossing at Horbury Bridge, especially at the end of Water and Sandy Lanes. I do not disagree with these comments, but I am the Councillor for Horbury & South Ossett and my area stops at the river in Horbury Bridge. However, I understand that one of the Councillors for the at area is working on a potential solution. I am supporting this work where I can. Over the last few months there have been many calls for speed cameras on the roads in and around Horbury & South Ossett. I have found details of the criteria required for a fixed speed camera to be installed. Before I give the details – can we should remember that this is administered by the Police and not Wakefield Council. For a speed camera to be installed, the following has to have happened according to the policy of West Yorkshire Casualty Prevention Partnership. # At least 4 collisions causing death or serious injury in the previous 5 complete years prior to commissioning of the site - and # A score of at least 36 points per km if the speed limit is 40mph or less and 30 points per km if the speed limit is over 40mph - and # Surveyed traffic speeds showing 1 vehicle in 10 is exceeding the speed limit by 10% plus 2mph outside of peak periods for 40mph limits and below, or by 5mph for limits above 40mph. I am not happy with these strict rules and I will keep pushing for changes or for the rules to be changed to reflect the needs and wants of local residents. We found out on Friday the identity of Horbury’s very own talented artist. He has created a wonderful ‘Banksy-esq’ picture on one of the black walls of the old shelter in Carr Lodge Park. What a great thing to do – thank you. In creating this artwork, interest in Horbury has increased. This can only be a good thing. Full details of the artist can be found in this week’s Wakefield Express or on their website – www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk Friends of Horbury’s Parks have taken delivery of 4,000 purple crocus bulbs and another 1,200 daffodil bulbs are on order. These will be planted in our parks and open green spaces – giving a splash of colour in spring. Watch out for our planting events, you help would be most welcomed to join us. Finally, a new information sign has been created, giving the history of Horbury Cemetery. Created by local historian Helen Bickerdike. I have arranged for the sign to be installed just inside the main cemetery gate by the old convent. Installation is due by the end of October. Please keep safe and take care in these difficult times and if you need help, give me a shout – contact details above! Darren View the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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