Horsforth councillors demand road changes after two serious accidents over Christmas (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Horsforth councillors demand road changes after two serious accidents over Christmas

January 20, 2010 12:00 AM

Horsforth councillors have been campaigning for months and have received dozens of responses from residents who have put their suggestions forward.

They are demanding road safety improvements to protect residents from increases in traffic to and from Leeds Bradford Airport. The measures have been suggested by local residents and councillors are in full support.

Suggestions by residents include traffic calming measures, parking restrictions and the introduction of 20mph zones. On the Bayton/Brownberrie/West End Lane crossroads, the site of many accidents in recent months they want:

· The Bayton Lane speed limit dropped to 40 mph.

· The junction of Bayton Lane to Brownberrie Lane to become a "Stop junction" at present it is "Give way".

· This junction to be a plateaux.

· Chicanes to be put in as a means of calming traffic.*

· The area around West End Primary School to become 20 mph.

Scotland Lane:

· A plateaux to be created at Scotland Close and Fairfax View, this will further protect vehicles exiting Scotland Way.

· Parking restrictions at the Brownberrie Lane end as motorists or now parking here.

· A pedestrian crossing at the Brownberrie end of Scotland Lane. This is the only part of Scotland Lane that has a pavement on both sides. This would allow a safer passage to Westbrook Lane Primary School using the new crossing on Brownberrie Lane.

· Westbrook Lane and Lee Lane to be 20 mph (to protect pupils of Westbrook Lane Primary and Horsforth School).

· Taxis especially "Arrow" are being cited by residents as "ignoring the speed limit", even overtaking on Scotland Lane.

Cllr Brian Cleasby (Lib Dem, Horsforth) said:

"We have given our list of demands to highways and planning officials in order to protect Horsforth from the 90% of airport generated traffic not considered in the recent successful airport planning application. In spite of all the work done here there are still serious accidents, including one with the No. 97 bus. We are awaiting the Police Traffic reports on the two serious accidents that took place over Christmas."

Cllr Chris Townsley (Lib Dem, Horsforth) said:

"We want to make it clear that the measures that have been put in place are not good enough, we also want the airport to foot the bill as they are the root cause of the traffic problems in this part of Horsforth.

"The response from residents has been the reason for demanding these additional measures. We are still receiving calls about this issue and we are interested in hearing more views."