The new morrisons opened  on schedule on the 2nd February - and it all looks very good - loads more space, a cafe - you can even use their new automated self-serve checkouts.  Demolition of the old store is now under way.

 Though some local residents were sceptical about the whole sceme, opinion on the Rothwell Forum is that generally positive, folks are looking forward to shopping in the new shop. 

 Thanks to Rob Shaw we have a little download for users of "Google Earth"  This file (if you open it with Google Earth) will show you the development plans overlayed on a picture of Rothwell from Space.

• Morrisons website
• Rob's file: "newmorrisonsplan.kmz"
•  Google Earth program (free)
•  View overlay in Google Maps (Inferior quality but no download required)

Rothwell road safety campaigners stepped up a gear in their fight by taking their case to the full meeting of Leeds City Council last week. A delegation from Leeds Road Residents Action Group attended the meeting of all 99 councillors and told how Rothwell roads are blighted by heavy lorries and speeding cars and that thousands of motorists using the A639 and A642 at Rothwell break the 40 mph speed limit every day. They also said that Royds School pupils had to cross the busy roads and warned that the problems would get worse unless action was taken before the opening of the East Leeds Link Road. The group called for a HGV ban and council support for a range of other road safety measures including a school crossing and speed cameras. The delegation was successful and the issues raised will now be referred to the Executive Board of Leeds City Council.

Changes to the 446 and 448 service mean that young people attending school in Wakefield can now only get to school on time by setting off at 6.45 on a morning and arriving at school over an hour before lessons start. Changes to the service mean that catching a later bus results in them being late for school. Returning home is little better with students having to wait for a bus in Wakefield for almost an hour.