'Deeply disappointed': MP slams council decision to shelve road safety scheme
He said he would ‘not stop fighting’ until work gets the green light
An MP has criticised a council decision to shelve long-awaited plans to improve safety at a road junction in Wakefield.
Simon Lightwood said residents in the Wrenthorpe area of the city were “deeply disappointed” to be told that scheme would not be going ahead.
The Labour MP said he had previously been promised by Wakefield Council that measures to improve safety at the junction of Bradford Road and Wrenthorpe would be put in place.
Mr Lightwood, who represents Wakefield and Rothwell, has campaigned along with local residents to get a signalised junction and pedestrian crossing near The Royal Spice restaurant.
But the Reform UK-led authority said the work was no longer justified based on police data.
Mr Lightwood said: “Residents were told that a signalised junction and pedestrian crossing were being prepared and were expected to be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year.
“That’s why this latest decision is so disappointing.
“For years, local people have raised serious concerns about safety on Bradford Road.
“My office has worked tirelessly alongside residents, submitting representations, sharing constituents’ experiences and repeatedly pressing the council to take action.
“We were given every indication that these much-needed improvements would move forward, so learning that the scheme has now been shelved is a real blow for the community.”
In a letter sent to Mr Lightwood in February 2025, the council, then under Labour control, confirmed the work would be completed during the last financial year as part of its Safer Roads programme.
In further letter sent last month, the council said it was unable to progress the scheme due to a fully committed works programme.
Mr Lightwood added: “It was important to me that residents heard this news directly and had an opportunity to share their views.
“My team and I have spent time on the doorstep speaking to local people, many of whom are understandably frustrated.
“The council’s latest correspondence acknowledges concerns around visibility for drivers at the junction and confirms that improvements to sight lines would be beneficial.
“However, residents were expecting a far more comprehensive package of safety measures.
“The gap between what was previously indicated and what is now being proposed is significant.”
Mr Lightwood pledged to continue campaigning for the scheme and encouraged residents to make their views known to the council.
He said: “I will not stop fighting for these improvements.
“Bradford Road residents have waited too long for meaningful action and I will continue making the case for this scheme to be delivered.
“I would encourage affected residents to contact Wakefield Council and their local councillors to make clear how important these safety improvements are to the community.”
Nick Hunt, the council’s service manager for highways and transportation, said: “We take an evidence-based approach to prioritise road investment.
“This makes sure we target our investment on need and safety.
“Based on police data over the past three years this junction doesn’t qualify for the signalised junction and pedestrian crossing.
“We are tackling the issues caused by people parking near the junction. New double yellow lines will be included in next year’s programme to help improve visibility for drivers.”