A highways chief has demanded an urgent report on lighting around roadworks at night to alert drivers following a crash in Birkenshaw.

Councillor David Sheard (Lab, Mirfield), chairman of Kirklees Council's highways committee said: "I have asked the highways service for a full report on the standards of lighting at road works and an investigation into the accident.''

His plea comes after a Ford Escort XR3 went out of control on Bradford Road, hitting a parked car in a driveway and an oncoming vehicle before bursting into flames.

Coun Andrew Palfreeman (Con, Birstall and Birkenshaw) believes the accident on Friday night may have happened because the car swerved to avoid hitting an unlit, partially completed pedestrian refuge and another set of roadworks.

The smash occurred outside his home in Brownhill Drive and he immediately contacted Coun Sheard and wrote to Richard Otter, head of the highways service, to demand better lighting to warn motorists.

The driver of the car and his passenger escaped unhurt but Coun Palfreeman says he wants urgent action to prevent a possible tragedy.

He said: "People who live in Birkenshaw know where refuges are being built but there needs to be better lighting and adequate signs to warn other drivers.

"If the refuge had been lit the driver might have seen it earlier and not lost control of the car. The accident might have been avoided. I will raise the issue at tomorrow's full Council meeting.''

He revealed that two days before the accident he inspected the refuges - being built as part of a road improvement scheme - after complaints from residents and found that none were lit.

But he added: "Then when I drove along the full extent of the works just 30 minutes before the accident I found most of the refuges were lit but only marginally.''

Sergeant Alan Kaye, traffic commander for the Dewsbury sub-division said two men, both aged 18, from Tong and Drighlington, had been reported for motoring offences and could be prosecuted following the accident.

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