Kirklees Council are set to improve the underpass / subway that runs beneath New Hey Road near to Moorlands Road and Raygate. This underpass falls into both the Lindley and Golcar wards.

Cllr Cahal Burke (Lindley, LibDem) says:

“I very much welcome improvements that will go towards improving the safety of those people who need to use the underpass. The Council’s Streetscene and Housing Department have recently undertaken work to improve the lighting within this underpass with the installation of LED lighting units within the existing fittings.

I have often been approached by local residents to discuss their worries, with many claiming they felt that often they did not feel safe enough to use the underpass.”

This work has been carried out as a trial to determine the quality and suitability of these units. This underpass was chosen for several reasons:

i) The existing lighting was in poor condition

ii) The underpass has been subjected to vandalism and graffiti in the past

iii) It is an important route to the nearby Moorlands Primary School

iv) In comparison to other underpasses there are a small number of fittings so it is better suited for a trial in terms of capital cost

As a result of the new units, the energy consumption for the underpass has been reduced by 66%, and future maintenance will also be greatly reduced as LED’s last much longer than conventional lamps. The quality of lighting is also greatly improved with the use of LED’s.

Cllr Andrew Marchington (Golcar, LibDem) says:

“Local people will hopefully feel happier walking through the underpass, especially parents taking their children to the nearby Moorlands Primary School. The underpass was in a desperate need of improved lighting and a general makeover to remove the unsightly graffiti and damage caused from vandalism, which will now make it a much more pleasant experience to walk through the underpass.”