Residents complain about ‘dangerous’ and ‘neglected’ pavements near Dewsbury
People living in Whitley and Briestfield, south of Dewsbury, said they are forced to walk into busy local roads due to overgrown vegetation on a number pavements.
Residents have complained about ‘dangerous’ and ‘neglected’ pavements in their villages.
People living in Whitley and Briestfield, south of Dewsbury, said they are forced to walk into busy local roads due to overgrown vegetation on a number pavements.
Villagers claimed the pavements have been ‘neglected’ by Kirklees Council for many years.
The council said an officer would visit the locations to ‘assess the issues raised’.
Peter Angus, who has lived in Whitley for nearly four decades, described several pavements in the area as ‘awful’.
Mr Angus drove our reporter around Whitley and Briestfield and pointed out a number of pavements affected by overgrown vegetation, including along Whitley Road and Briestfield Road.
“They’re unusable to many people, including those pushing prams,” he added.
“You have to walk on to the road and that’s not safe at all.
“It puts many people off walking from place to place – something everyone should be doing for their physical and mental well-being.”
Dawn Kneen, who has lived in Briestfield for around 30 years, added: “The pavements are really bad, abysmal.
“They’re poorly maintained, covered with overgrown vegetation and debris.
“You can’t walk on them – they’re not fit for purpose.
“If you go on the road, you’re risking your life – we get a lot of speeding drivers around here.
“I want the council to urgently take action and make these pavements safer.”
Laura Hutchinson said her 13-year-old daughter Holly and other young people find themselves having to walk on the road, due to the ‘neglected’ pavements, when going to and from bus stops for school.
“It’s dangerous and not good at all,” she added.
“We do feel forgotten by the council over this.
“We want them to make our pavements safer.”
Conservative Councillor John Taylor, who represents the people of Whitley and Briestfield, said he had reported the issues to Kirklees Council – but was ‘struggling to get anyone to do anything about it’.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service put the concerns to Kirklees Council.
Councillor Pip Harvey, cabinet member for place, culture and volunteering at the authority, said: “I understand residents’ concerns about the condition of pavements in their village and thank them for bringing these issues to our attention.
“We have received reports relating to sections of Whitley Road and Briestfield Road, and an officer will be visiting these locations shortly to assess the issues raised.
“Following the assessment, we will determine what action is required and arrange next steps.”