A PARK which will lose some of its land to make way for a new one-way road system has been fenced off by Barnsley Council.

Penny Pie Park, bordered by Dodworth Road and Pogmoor Road, has been the scene of regular protests from campaigners opposing the council’s scheme.

Despite a vigil being held there as recently as Thursday last week, workers have arrived at the site in preparation for the works needed to create the road - meaning it’s now out of bounds for users and will remain so for ‘more than a year’.

David Shepherd, service director for regeneration and culture at the council, said: “For some time the council has explored options to ease existing congestion and improve air quality along Dodworth Road.

“Plans for the scheme were approved at a planning board meeting in December last year and will deliver a long-term solution that will provide enough capacity for the current volume of traffic as well as accommodating the future business and housing growth aspirations of Barnsley.

“We anticipate that the scheme works will take more than a year to deliver as we need to factor in the timing of the landscaping and tree planting to make sure that this takes place during the planting season to maximise survival rates.

“We thank residents for their cooperation and patience while we deliver the scheme and we will try and keep inconvenience to a minimum.”