'It's quite dangerous': Could parking restrictions be applied to busy Manygates Lane-Barnsley Road junction near Sandal Castle in Wakefield?

Parking restrictions may be slapped on a "dangerous" Wakefield junction in a bid to make the area safer.
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The junction between Manygates Lane, along which Sandal Castle is located, and Barnsley Road, has been a source of complaints for drivers with cars frequently clogging up the roadside.

Even Google Streetview's snapshot of the area shows a chaotic scene, with vehicles everywhere.

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A residential home for the elderly is located on the junction, while a primary school is based around 300 yards away off the A61.

Google Streetview's snapshot of the area shows a chaotic rush hour scene.Google Streetview's snapshot of the area shows a chaotic rush hour scene.
Google Streetview's snapshot of the area shows a chaotic rush hour scene.

Now the leader of Wakefield Council, Denise Jeffery, has suggested action may be taken to address the congestion.

Asked about the issue on a live question and answer session over Facebook on Monday by a member of the public Coun Jeffery agreed the junction was "a problem".

"There are lot of cars parked down there and people are really struggling," she said.

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"I wonder if we could get one of our officers out to review it and see if we could put a TRO (traffic regulation order) on.

Manygates Lane is used as a ratrun by drivers trying to duck the traffic lights on Barnsley Road, one local resident has said.Manygates Lane is used as a ratrun by drivers trying to duck the traffic lights on Barnsley Road, one local resident has said.
Manygates Lane is used as a ratrun by drivers trying to duck the traffic lights on Barnsley Road, one local resident has said.

"It is a real hotspot and quite dangerous."

TROs are used by councils to restrict parking in certain areas. Examples include double or single yellow lines and permit zones.

Manygates Lane resident Dr Keith Souter, said that the issue was generally confined to the rush hour, rather than a problem that lasted throughout the day.

Dr Keith Souter said: "The issue really is during peak times when the schools are open.

Coun Jeffery said she recognised there were problems at the junction.Coun Jeffery said she recognised there were problems at the junction.
Coun Jeffery said she recognised there were problems at the junction.
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"The road itself does get very congested on a morning. A lot of drivers do use it as ratrun to beat the traffic lights on Barnsley Road and they drive very fast.

"It can be quite difficult to get the car in and out on a morning because often there's vehicles parked all along one side of the road and that makes it difficult for the bin lorries to get down as well.

"But the congestion does clear."

Dr Souter said however he would not be in favour of double yellow lines being painted onto the junction.

He added: "To my mind the problem is at peak hours and double yellow lines would restrict people throughout the day.

"I think that would be quite heavy."

Local Democracy Reporting Service