The Strategic Director, Place, will present a report (Document “C”) which considers a petition requesting the provision of safety (speed) cameras or road humps on Cowpasture Road, Ilkley, to prevent drivers from speeding.

The petition’s title page is attached as Appendix 1 to this report.

Recommended –

1.    That Cowpasture Road form part of the proposed 20mph zone which Ilkley Town Council and Bradford Council have agreed to fund.

2.    The lead petitioner be advised accordingly.

(Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Simon D’Vali – 01274 434674)

The Strategic Director, Place, presented a report (Document “C”) which considered a petition requesting the provision of safety (speed) cameras or road humps on Cowpasture Road, Ilkley, to prevent drivers from speeding.

The petition’s title page was attached as Appendix 1 to Document “C and the petitioner addressed the meeting to outline the concerns of residents’.  He reported that he had witnessed traffic travelling at excessive speeds in the location and he feared that it was only a matter of time before someone was killed in the area It was explained that large secondary school was located on Cowpasture Road; a child had been run over recently and within the previous six months two dogs had been hit by traffic.  It was suggested that accidents were endemic and the way drivers behaved was worsening. 

Members were reminded that the area Cowpasture Road was located within a conservation area and it was suggested that historic areas could be improved by the removal of traffic. 

The petitioner proposed that traffic calming measures such as speed cameras or speed bumps be installed on Cowpasture Lane to prevent speeding at that location. It was believed that stemming the flow of traffic would cause issues although residents would be happy with short diversions if speeds were reduced.  It was reported that recent speed checks had seen 13 drivers fined for speeding but felt that occasional speed checks were not sufficient to address the issues and it was requested that traffic calming measures, including the erection of bollards at the school location, be installed.

In response to questions about the preference for physical deterrents or reductions in permitted speeds it was explained that even with a limit of 30mph traffic still travelled through the area at 60mph and above.

A Member suggested that nothing slowed traffic more than the installation of speed cameras and questioned the criteria for cameras to be installed. 

In response the Strategic Director, Place, reported that he was working in a partnership including the five local authorities and the police which was guided by Government.  The Department for Transport was in the process of revising the criteria for the deployment of safety cameras but amendments would require the agreement of all parties.  There had been criticism that cameras could not be installed until speed related injury had occurred; the Council’s Highways did consider schemes using local evidence but currently were constrained by Government policy which precluded Cowpasture Road.  The issues raised by the petitioner were acknowledged and was the rationale for the installation of a pedestrian crossing outside of the secondary school. It was suggested that a further report be presented if the criteria for safety cameras was revised.  In the interim the area could be included in the 20mph zone which Ilkley Town Council and Bradford Council have agreed to fund.

A Member queried if speed strips had been installed on Cowpasture Road to check if excessive speeding was taking place or there was merely a perception of speed.  It was explained that speed strips had not been used but discussions with the police had confirmed that motorists did not adhere to the speed restrictions. 

Members discussed the installation of speed humps and were advised that ordinarily residents were 50/50 for and against such proposals.  It was confirmed that there was no statutory duty to inform residents of highway changes although the council does undertake consultation on such matters.

A Member for the Ilkley area who was familiar with the area confirmed that action was required to reduce speeds on Cowpasture Road.  He did not agree with the closure of part of the road and believed that they would exacerbate safety issues in the area.  He welcomed the proposals to amend the criteria for safety cameras; he believed they would be vital in that area and did not want ‘red tape’ to prevent any measures to reduce accidents and fatalities.  He supported the inclusion of the Cowpasture Road in the 20mph zone and suggested residents be consulted about traffic calming measures. 

He also raised an additional area for concern on the Burley to Ilkley Moor Road.  The Strategic Director, Place, acknowledged that there was an issue with the location described and agreed to source resources to fund a change to the speed limit. 

Resolved –

1.    That the plans to include Cowpasture Road in the proposed 20mph zone be welcomed.

2.    That the West Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership be requested to consider the amendment of the Safety Camera Deployment criteria and the Strategic Director, Place, be requested to provide a future report when the issue has been progressed.

3.    That the suggestion that speed limit on Moor Road be reduced to 30mph until linked to Cowpasture Road be welcomed.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Regeneration and Environment

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place