Chapel Lane in Heckmondwike is among more than 120 roads that could be improved in Kirklees.

Kirklees Council's Cabinet will consider a proposal to spend nearly £12 million carrying out improvement work on the district's unclassified roads.

The councillors will consider the decision at their Cabinet meeting on January 19.

Unclassified roads are more minor roads which carry lower volumes of traffic connecting smaller towns and villages as well as residential streets.

The network of unclassified roads is over 1,440 kilometres or 895 miles long, which is roughly the same as Land’s End to John O’Groats. These roads and pavements are also an important part of the infrastructure in local communities, particularly as more people are walking and cycling in response to the pandemic and travel restrictions in place.

Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “The maintenance and improvements to our transport network are vital for the development of Kirklees as a places where people want to live, work and visit.’

“We know that one size doesn’t fit all and recognise the diversity and strengths to be found across Kirklees. This is why our officers worked closely with local ward councillors to identify which roads should be included in the programme of works.’

“If approved, this will be an investment of £11.8million, which includes over 120 schemes across the 23 wards and aims to tackle those in need of immediate repair as well as improving pavement conditions.’

“These improvements will also have a positive impact on encouraging more of our residents to walk or cycle which is not only good for our health but for the improvement of our air quality.”

The council aims to minimise disruption by working with third parties such as utility companies to coordinate any planned roadworks. There will also be compliance with ongoing Covid-19 measures.

Some of the planned work includes: Greenhead Lane, Dewsbury; Warneford Road, Golcar; Chapel Lane, Heckmondwike; Colders Lane, Holme Valley North and Wellfield Road, Lindley.

This latest investment follows the £3.2 million investment in repairing hotspots on unclassified roads during the summer and autumn months last year to provide protection for the road network before the winter season.

If approved, the programme of works will begin in spring 2021 and be completed by March 2023.