'That road's already a nightmare' - your views on Barratt's Parkside plans
People have been airing their views on Barratt's plan to build a new roundabout on Park Road ahead of construction work on a new development of 129 homes.
The Express reported on Wednesday (Sept 9) that the new roundabout will be next to the site of Barratt's Parkside housing development on the site of the now demolished Parkside Hotel.
A temporary 30mph speed limit is in place on a section of Park Road while a new roundabout is created on Park Road.
Dozens of people have responded to the story via the Pontefract and Castleford Express Facebook page.
Andrew Naylor wrote: "That road's already a nightmare without racedays, weekends and J32. Guessing some will just not bother to use that side of town at all."
Claire Smith wrote: "Just what you need on a already busy road."
Dave Hewitt wrote: "So I am curious with all these houses in Pontefract and 150 on the old Cas baths site, where are their kids going to go to school? What’s going to happen with Doctors and dentists and what will happen with our Hospitals?"
Alan Smith wrote: "All these houses being built …. Before any houses are built they should be building medical centres and schools First and foremost …the planning department should make sure that the builders have these in place before any houses are built."
Leslie Street wrote: "Well Cas is now part of Ponte or visa-versa."
Stephen Paver wrote: "Pontefract is so busy its like living in a city, all the infrastructures are overwhelmed as it is. schools, doctors appointments etc where are they building the support. Not bothered about that are we."
Paul Slater wrote: "'A new roundabout will also be constructed along Park Road for the benefit of the wider community.' The roundabout is solely for the benefit ot the development. Should be left in-left out to reduce the impact on other road users."
Barratt say the development will feature 129 homes – ranging from two to four bedroom – plus public open space.
The company said 20 per cent of the development will be affordable housing, including three bungalows.
Groundworks are currently being done on site and building work on the new homes is set to start later this year.
A Barratt spokesperson said: "A new roundabout will also be constructed along Park Road for the benefit of the wider community."
The temporary 30mph speed limit is in place between Park Road's junctions with De Lacy Way to the junction of Princes Drive.
It limit will last until December 18 or until the work on the new roundabout is completed.
The development – which is close to junction 32 of the M62 – is being built partly on the site of the former Parkside Hotel, which closed in 2009.
The building was then destroyed by a fire in 2012 and later demolished.
The Barratt development extends towards Pontefract town centre and Chep Pallets.