Measures to improve safety at the junction of Railway Road and Brook Street in Ilkley will be put in place shortly.
Ilkley Town Council were pleased to learn this news recently from the Bradford Council's Principal Traffic Engineer, who confirmed that the work will be financed £50k secured through the Return to High Streets Safely Fund.
This is one of the busiest corners in Ilkley town centre, as it is near the train station and a number of car parks.
It is intended to improve safety by to extend the kerb line and narrow Railway Road at its junction with Brook Street. New paving and tarmac will be laid at the corner, near Station Plaza, where it meets Brook Street, and the area will be slightly extending, giving pedestrians a narrower width of road to cross. Tactile paving will also be laid at each side of this section Railway Road which aids people with visual impairments to negotiate crossing the road.
Ilkley Town Council queried whether a pedestrian island could also be installed for increased safety. Unfortunately this appears not to be possible because of constraints on large vehicles manoeuvring at this junction.
Councillor Tom Franks says: “We are delighted to learn of the proposed improvements to the Railway Road junction. We have been in discussion with BMDC officers on this issue as part of our commitment to improving road safety in Ilkley”.
Ilkley District Councillor Anne Hawkesworth isn’t so positive, saying: “I find the plan disappointing, inadequate and the work proposed does have the feel of a cheap fix..”
Cllr Hawkesworth has suggested to Bradford Council that more consideration is needed on the use of traffic lights; railings to prevent pedestrians walking straight down Brook Street, and a pedestrian crossing to assist passage down the street.
Cllr Kyle Green commented: "I have been championing improvements at this junction as a vital and life-saving necessity since I was elected and I am pleased that Bradford Council have finally realised this junction must be a road safety priority, albeit belatedly.
While I welcome some aspects of the plans, it is absolutely vital that the taxi rank is moved, barriers are installed and most importantly Ilkley residents are allowed the opportunity to give their views on whether this work will bring about the improvements needed to make it safe for pedestrians to cross."
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport at Bradford Council, said: “I am very pleased that this project is going ahead, as it will greatly improve the safety of this junction. It has long been a concern for members of the public.”
If any resident would like further information on this, please contact the Town Clerk by email clerk@towncouncil.ilkley.org