Works at Pontefract’s Town End junction hit by more delays

Wakefield Council is currently carrying out a £600,000 scheme to replace the junction’s traffic lights with one large and one smaller roundabout to ease congestion.

Works were due to be complete by the end of October but the council said the scheme has been delayed for the second time.

Neil Rodgers, Wakefield Council’s service director for planning, transportation and highways said: “Our contractors have been working hard to finish the work at Town End as quickly as possible, and I am pleased that we have now reached the final stage of the project.

“As with any job of this size there are often issues which can result in the work taking slightly longer than expected, especially when the contractors are trying to accommodate utility works which are out of their control.

“I would like to thank people for their continued patience whilst we complete the scheme.”

Wakefield Council first announced plans for changes at the junction in February 2011.

Transport bosses at the council earmarked Town End - which had a double roundabout system until 1996 - as a transport priority after it was found to have the worst traffic congestion levels in the Wakefield district.

The current scheme started in March and was due to be completed in July but was delayed because contractors found additional excavation works were needed around the junction.

Mr Rodgers said the final part of the works will see parts of Mill Hill Road, Southgate and Wakefield Road approaching the junction resurfaced.

He said: “We are now putting together the final resurfacing schedule and will update people in next week’s Express.”