Landlord anger as road shuts; Attack on council's 'scandalous' plan

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), March 14, 2008

Byline: By BARRY GIBSON News Reporter

A "SCANDALOUS" road closure will hit business, says a pub licensee.

Alan Gibson is angry at Kirklees Council plans to ban traffic from New Laithe Hill at Newsome for safety reasons.

Mr Gibson, who runs the Victoria on nearby Jackroyd Lane, is upset that he wasn't consulted on the proposal.

He said: "I've only recently beenmade aware of the forthcoming closure. I am astounded that the council didn't tell me and I feel let down. It's downright scandalous.

"This decision will be detrimental to my business. I use the road on a daily basis, as do several of my customers who live in Lowerhouses, Longley and Almondbury."

Last year Newsome's three Green councillors secured pounds 15,000 to closeNew Laithe Hill to traffic.

The narrow road connecting Newsome to the Fannymoor estate in Longley.

It has no footpath in parts and is used by schoolchildren, parents with pushchairs and people in wheelchairs.

But Mr Gibson does not believe it is dangerous.

He said: "As far as I'm aware there have been no injuries or major incidents on the road during my 12 years in business here in Newsome."

But Clr Andrew Cooper, who represents the area on Kirklees, disagrees.

He said: "There have been frequent collisions on the road, walls have been knocked down and pedestrians have had to dive out of the way to avoid being hit."

And the Green councillor said the closure had been advertised well in advance.

Clr Cooper said: "There have been articles in the paper and it's been mentioned in leaflets distributed in the area.

"So it shouldn't be news to Mr Gibson."

The road will be closed to traffic next month for a six-month trial.

Clr Cooper added: "We have to see what the impact will be, but I don't think it will be much of a diversion for the pub's customers."

CAPTION(S):

ANGRY: Victoria pub landlord Alan Gibson at Jackroyd Lane, Newsome (PC120308Evictoria)