At a meeting last night (29^th) Metro announced that they had listened to the concerns of Kirkheaton residents and that there would continue to be an evening service to and from Kirkheaton and Upper Heaton, albeit slightly reduced. From the end of April there will be three 262 services after 7 pm, and a final one through an extension of the 371 which will give an even later bus than is available now (details below).

The news was given at a public meeting in Kirkheaton Church, where around 50 local residents came to hear and ask questions of Mr Neale Wallace, Bus Services Manager for Metro. Chaired by the Revd Richard Steel, Chair of ‘Yetton Together,’ the meeting heard widespread concerns from residents and was promised that the service would run until July 2013, with further assessment of future services earlier that year, with full consultation with local residents.

“Metro is currently undertaking consultation on a wide range of bus services within South Kirklees for changes in October this year. Whilst the 262 Kirkheaton evening service was not part of this wider consultation,  the service was flagged up as being at risk from April 2012 as it did not represent value for money with low passenger use and a high cost per passenger journey,” said Mr Wallace. “Kirkheaton residents were concerned about their potential loss of evening services. Metro has listened to these concerns and has worked hard to provide a new service pattern that meets the majority of residents’ needs but also provides greater value for money for the taxpayer. Some aspects of the new service are an improvement with, for instance, a later departure from Huddersfield to Kirkheaton at 11pm giving greater leisure opportunities.”

“This is a great result for the community,” said Mr Steel, “and shows just what can be achieved when people work together. In less than a fortnight we have gone from some very bad news to a great result. Yetton Together’s Transport and Traffic Working Group are very happy to accept the offer to work with Metro on the longer term future of this service.”

“I was delighted to hear this,” adds Jonathan Evans, one of those who led the campaigning. “We are really pleased with the new timetable. I’d like to thank everyone for writing, spreading the news, going to Metro’s consultations, sending e-mails and attending the meeting tonight.”

New Timetable Details

News Release from Yetton Together

Release date: 14^th March

Campaign to save Kirkheaton’s evening bus

Kirkheaton’s residents were shocked to hear that there will be no buses to or from Kirkheaton and Upper Heaton after 7 pm in the evening from the end of April. Concerned residents, community group ‘Yetton Together’ and local Councillors are working together to see if the decision can be reversed. The 262 is the only service going through the village.

Although people were aware of a widespread consultation, the 262 service was not mentioned in the Review forms that have been circulated, nor the public notice, so people have only just discovered the threat. Transport group Metro have already made and published their decision, even though the consultation period is still open

“We are very concerned at the effect this could have on our community,” says Theresa Wilby-Hood, Secretary of Yetton Together. “In our community survey 15% of households in the area were discovered to have no car, and nearly 3 out of 10 people use the bus regularly.”

“To lose this service would mean that residents without their own transport or the money to book a taxi will not be able to access any concerts, evening sports groups, late night shopping, hospital visiting, special events and much more besides.” she adds. “We also have shift workers very concerned about getting to their jobs, whether in Huddersfield or places like Leeds, Dewsbury and Wakefield, as they rely on the bus to get to and from Mirfield station.”

The Yetton Together Transport Working Group believes there is scope for ensuring the service is better used -  “we know there are a good number of regular bus users, and we also know there are an even larger number of occasional users who are deterred by such things as cost and an infrequent service.  We would like the bus companies to persuade those occasional users to increase the frequency of their use through price deals, loyalty schemes, special offers for Town Hall concert goers, well timed buses, family tickets. This would help protect the service for those people for whom the bus is essential.”

Councillor Rochelle Parchment adds -  “As a ward Councillor I am deeply concerned about the possible removal of the 262 bus  evening bus service between Huddersfield and Kirkheaton/Upper Heaton,”. “I believe this will add extra pressure and costs to  residents who need to get to and from work, in what are all ready very difficult times. The Review is still out for public consultation and I am urging residents to get involved and to respond to the consultation as soon as possible.”

Parish Councillor Alison Munro was shocked at this development – “As a parish Councillor I was unaware that the 262 bus service had been re-tendered in 2011 for a year on a ‘Use it or Lose it’ basis. Surely this should have been brought to local residents attention before now, when it appears too late to take any action in preventing the service from being cut.”

“We have yet to find any local resident who knew about the ‘Use it or Lose it’ basis,” Mrs Wilby-Hood continues. “We are very concerned that none of the printed literature, or the notices published, even mentioned our bus, so local people have not seen a need to respond – and now we only have a couple of weeks to do so. We are asking all concerned residents to fill in a response form or go to Metro’s web site to make a comment. We hope we can change their mind before it is too late.”

A community meeting is planned in the near future, when a representative of Metro will meet and hear resident’s comments.

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More information from:

The Revd Richard Steel, Chair, Yetton Together (01484 532410) (Mob 07900 216363)

Mr Mike Firth, Vice-Chair (01484 453758)

Mrs Theresa Wilby-Hood, Secretary (01484 453080)

www.wymetro.com/busreview

Dalton Ward PACT Meeting Minutes Wednesday 8th February 2012-03-11

Police attendance: PS 2240 Brown and APS 1940 James.
Guests: DS Hawker to talk about burglary and Tina Shaw Dog Warden Kirklees Council.

APOLOGIES: Two people gave their apologies for non-attendance.

BURGLARY INPUT
DS Hawker gave input into how the Kirklees burglary team work. He stated:

• there is a 1hr maximum response time limit and Scenes of Crime attend and victims are rung and reassurance visits are performed alongside ongoing enquiries.

•  there were 4 CID Teams, ½ for burglary and ½ for other serious offences – split over the two sites at Huddersfield and Dewsbury. They perform both reactive response and proactive patrols which includes daily visits.

•  the Police work with the probation service to perform offender management. Suspects charged in custody are always sought to be remanded.

•  that reassurance should be taken in the knowledge that work is done after the initial crime report and urged Crimestoppers to be used to give information.

• that overall, burglaries in Kirklees are down but there has been a rise in those in the Dalton ward area.

 TOLSON CRESCENT PARKING
The issue of parking on Tolson Crescent was raised. There are double yellow lines in place, but the Department of Transport state that there is no additional signage required. Loading and unloading and a 5 mins observation period is given. The introduction of a loading ban is to be considered.
There has been a strong objection from Tesco’s for a Traffic Regulation Order.

 DOG WARDEN
Tina stated there were engagement meetings with schools and parents in Kirkheaton and an improvement in the area had been noted.
She stated that she was to do similar Breakfast Club meetings in Rawthorpe and Dalton.

Tina explained about new proposals to make fouling everywhere except moorland to be an offence. Dogs to be kept on a lead on all roads, in parks and in places where activity. There will be a consultation period to begin with. Following on from recent public concerns raised in relation to dog fouling Tina pointed out recent joint working between the Police to address concerns.

 OTHER ISSUES
Sgt. Brown stated there are issues with under-reporting of crime and a lack of confidence in the Police in the Dalton ward area. A door knock / community engagement process was planned.
It was decided no local prioritising required and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams would work in response to calls generally and addressing crime.

 ADDITIONAL
There are ongoing issues with Kirkheaton school parking, including on side roads.
The ongoing speed camera work was noted.
Parking issues on Mayfield Avenue was noted.

The next meeting would be 21st March at 7pm at the Galpharm Stadium.