Tuesday, April 4, 2006

LOCAL MP CHRIS MCCAFFERTY has written to the Chairman of Kelda Group, owners of Yorkshire Water, urging them to do everything in their power to avoid further traffic chaos in Hebden Bridge.

Her call comes after Yorkshire Water announced that work will restart on replacing the water main.

She is urging the company to agree to carry out the majority of work at night to minimise the traffic disruption.

Chris has told the Hebden Bridge Web:
"Last summer, businesses suffered as traffic was disrupted for several weeks. I was very concerned to find out that we now face another three weeks of disruptions.

"Night time working has been agreed on this stretch of road before, because it is so congested and such a vital local route, and I am urging Yorkshire Water to do this again, for the sake of local residents and local businesses. They must do everything they can to keep the disruption to a minimum."

In her letter to the Chairman, Chris says:

"This is the start of the tourist season and will have an effect on local businesses that may have repercussions for the whole of the summer.

"The A646 is the only direct route for my constituents from the Upper Valley and emergency services to Halifax in the east and Burnley and Rochdale to the west. It is also the only direct access to the motorway for many people.

"As there is a precedent for night time working on the A646, because of its extremely busy status and the lack of other traffic routes, I would ask you to urgently consider night time working on this stretch of road."

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