A CONCERNED resident has started a petition to Kirklees Council demanding action after 71-year-old Phillip Carlton died after being hit by a lorry in Heckmondwike town centre yesterday.

Mr Carlton, from Liversedge, was involved in a collision with the lorry in Westgate yesterday morning, and died at the scene.

He was the third pedestrian to be killed in a road traffic collision on that short stretch of road this year, and now residents are demanding action be taken to avoid anymore deaths.

Local resident Andrew Hall has set up the petition calling on Kirklees Council to take action to make the junction safer.

In the petition, he said: "Heckmondwike town centre has had three fatal road incidents in 2020 so far.

"Each incident involved an elderly pedestrian and a heavy truck or HGV along the same short stretch of road: Namely Westgate, between the Northgate and Market Street junctions.

"Each incident has seen another family grieving, a friend lost and another driver's life changed forever.

"Each incident has taken valuable resources from the emergency services, disrupted local businesses and negatively impacted the entire community.

"Each incident was avoidable. This cannot go on unchallenged by the Heckmondwike community. 

"We, the residents of Heckmondwike demand this action as a right we have already paid for with our council taxes.

"It is urgent that Kirklees Council take action to ensure residents are safe on the roads in Heckmondwike. It is the council's duty and responsibility."

In the petition, signees are demanding the council: review road crossing timings, suitability and placements; review road markings and signage; review speed limits and traffic calming measures; review the types of vehicle that can enter the town centre; be open and honest with their findings and work with the local community to find solutions fast.

It is also asking for other traffic problems which create congestion, cause more air pollution and promote anti-social driving to be reviewed.

As of 8.45am this morning, the petition had more than 580 signatures.

If you would like to sign the petition, click here.