(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

To hear questions from electors within the District on any matter that is the responsibility of the Committee. 

Questions must be received in writing by the Director of Legal and Governance in Room 112, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY, by mid-day on Tuesday 11 October  2022.

(Jane Lythgow - 01274 432270)

In accordance with the provision at Part 3B, Paragraph 6 of the Council’s Constitution the following public questions, received from local residents, were presented:

Question one -

Having lived in East Morton since October 2021, I have become increasingly aware, as have many village residents before me, of the speed of motorists through the village.  This ’20 miles per hour’ zone, is nothing of the sort.  The vast majority or motorists drive at least 50% faster than the legal limit.  With the 20 mph zone going through narrowing roads, several blind bends, roads with narrow and no pavement, overgrown pavements with self-seeded saplings and brambles forcing pedestrians into the road, local secondary school pupils walking to and from school, AND East Morton Primary and all the extra pedestrians this brings, it is only a matter of time till one of the many walkers or school children are killed. 

There are very few signs, very few road markings, and not enough communication to drivers who are clearly using this road as a cut through.  Drivers cutting through will always happen, but there needs to be more reminders of the legal speed limit that is not being adhered to.  If we look at surrounding villages with 20MPH zones, there is further disparity in the traffic calming measures.  Hawksworth and Eldwick; both with schools, houses and shops benefits from speed bumps, light up signage, signs showing the driver’s current speed, red tarmac across the road at the start and end of the 20MPH zone and in between, pedestrian crossing… the list goes on.  Even local villages WITHOUT schools have more traffic calming measures than East Morton.  Burley-in-Wharfedale has narrow roads with narrow or no footpath, like parts of East Morton but they have no school, but regular signs, speed bumps and additional road markings. The road into Tranmere park by Guiseley (although a 30MPH ZONE), has more signs to help drivers slow down and again, no school.

It is also widely recognized that as the Clean Air Zone comes into effect in late September, there will be more speeding Heavy Goods traffic through the village, cutting out the CAZ and a further increase of unsuitable vehicles through this village with these vehicles not knowing the blind sharp bends.  East Morton has already had a fatality from an out of control HGV.  Any increase of this type of vehicle, with the speeds they travel at with so many properties on the road edge is frightening.  We are also wanting to encourage students and parents of the local primary school and the local secondary schools to walk to school instead of driving.  At the moment, the majority of the routes to the school are very dangerous.  We are wanting more people to walk instead of taking unnecessarily short journeys for the sake of the environment.  To try make our own village a Clean Air Zone.  There is no crossing at any point in the village, and previous requests from local residents to have some action from the local Highways office has been met with silence.  It is not good enough.  We have the support of many local groups, the schools, local businesses, and every single local resident spoken to, and also communicated with on social media so far on this topic to try once and for all to get something done.  It may be that many drivers just do not realise how fast they are driving.  It takes some effort to keep to 20mph, and if you are not reminded, or know in the first place, it is not a natural speed at which to drive.  So let’s start reminding them, and quickly.

Hoping that the majority who speed just need that reminder to slow down, will the Keighley Area Committee agree to provide more traffic calming measures in the village of East Morton before a much anticipated fatality occurs?

In response it was explained that the Council had previously tried to install traffic calming through East Morton Village on two separate occasions.  Both attempts had failed through lack of public support.  Whilst there was clearly some strong support, it wasn’t enough to see the proposal through a governance process.  The Highways department would, however, review the existing arrangement and engage in further discussions with elected members to see if there was broad support for a refresh and possible inclusion of traffic calming.

Question two –

Residents of the properties starting at 20 Ilkley Road, Riddlesden stretching up to Barley Cote Avenue face a strip of land with large, possibly dangerously unsafe trees. My home, Barley Cote Hall is also affected by this as it adjoins this land which according to the Land Registry is not in our ownership. 

Oral evidence from neighbours who have lived in the area for over 70 years’ states that Bradford Council acquired the land many years ago as a possible road widening project that was never started. The trees have been allowed to grow unchecked for perhaps 40 years. There is a pressing need for their restriction in height and spread.  

The houses, road traffic and pedestrians are potentially at risk during storms, should a tree be blown down. Would the Area Committee take the matter forward to the relevant body of the council for investigation as to ownership of the land and the implications for the safety of residents and their property? 

The Chair recited a response provided by the Senior Parks and Green Spaces Manager which reported that the trees were part of the adopted highway and, therefore, maintained by the Council.

The tree canopies were visually inspected by an officer on 23^rd September 2022. They were thought to be self-set opportunistic trees rather than part of a planting programme. The trees were in full leaf and not showing signs of distress or dieback at the time of inspection.  The officer was unable to access the land due to undergrowth and the steepness of the bank.  Although, these were mature trees there were no immediate concerns about their condition or the risk of failure in expected weather conditions. A more detailed inspection and risk assessment of root plates and main stems was scheduled for January 2023.

The Council had agreed priorities for tree management and works. Current priorities included protecting and keeping the highway clear, dangerous trees, trees causing directing damage to property and reasonable adjustments within the scope of the Disabilities Discrimination Act.  Further details about how the Council managed its trees could be found on the website: Trees and woodland on public land | Bradford Council

In accordance with provision at Part 3B, Paragraph 6 of the Council’s Constitution in addition to the oral response the Chair advised that a written response to the questions would also be provided after the meeting.

Resolved –

That the Director, Legal and Governance, be requested to provide a written response to the four public questions submitted.

ACTION: Director, Legal and Governance