Relocation plan for 18th Century stone cross

Plans to reinstate a 300-year-old stone cross in a new location after it was removed following damage are to be discussed later this week.

The Grade II listed Oakenshaw Cross was first erected in 1702 by Dr Richard Richardson, at the junction of Wyke Lane, Cross Street and Sykes Lane in Oakenshaw.

However, repeated damage in recent years led to it being taken away in 2022 and placed in secure storage, where it has remained ever since.

Kirklees councillors are to consider plans to move it to a "pocket park" on Cross Street, about 65ft (20m) from its original location, with a document stating it would be a "suitable long-term location for reinstatement of a designated heritage asset".

The cross was previously affected by several incidents, including being hit by an articulated lorry in May 2021 and by an HGV in February 2022, which caused "considerable damage" and created a risk for road users, the council said.

Following those collisions, the cross could not be safely repaired while still in place on Cross Street, the authority said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, local residents had previously fought for the cross to be repaired and reinstated in its original position.

But, supporting documents from the council stated that while its original location was given first preference, studies showed it would pose a risk to its long-term conservation and cause "unacceptable" highway safety risks.

One objector to the relocation plans told the council: "I want to see the monument reinstated in its original place on Wyke Lane/Cross Street/Sykes Lane.

"The issue is not the monument, but the wagons/trucks who use the road irresponsibly."

Meanwhile, a comment in support of the relocation plans stated: "It would be wonderful to have a board nearby with its historical information, too, and perhaps a reference to the original location."

A decision on the relocation plans is expected to be made by Kirklees Council on Tuesday.

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