Silsden road accident prompts call for new crossings (From Craven Herald)
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Silsden road accident prompts call for new crossings
10:30am Saturday 11th August 2012 in News
A road accident on Silsden ’s main street has prompted renewed calls for better pedestrian crossings.
A 70-year-old woman was taken to hospital last month after being in collision with a vehicle on Kirkgate.
The incident came only days after town councillors had met with Bradford Council highways officers to talk about road safety concerns.
Town mayor Chris Atkinson demanded that Bradford transform Silsden’s zebra crossings into puffin crossings with traffic lights.
He said the crossing outside the town hall - near the scene of last week's accident - was particularly dangerous.
He said: “We need something done with this crossing. You can be in the middle of the crossing and drivers keep going. We want Bradford Council to make the roads safe. We’ve been told there’s no money. I don’t like to see people lying on the road.”
Coun Atkinson and fellow town councillor Adrian Naylor, who is also a Bradford councillor, last month walked through Silsden with highways officers pointing out potential dangers.
The walkabout was called to address concerns that several proposed housing developments would increase traffic through the town.
It looked at whether the three existing crossings should be moved to more suitable locations or improved. He added: “We looked at the number of heavy lorries that come through the village or make deliveries on Kirkgate."”
Bradford Council highways department confirmed an officer recently met councillors Naylor and Atkinson to discuss their concerns relating to road safety issues at various locations in Silsden.
A spokesman said that potential measures discussed including converting two of the existing zebra crossings on Kirkgate to puffin crossings. He added: “Any valid and feasible schemes arising from the meeting will be put forward for consideration and associated funding, along with other schemes from across the Keighley area, for funding approval by Keighley Area Committee.”
