The Strategic Director, Place, will present a report (Document “J”) which sets out a single objection to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to introduce no waiting at any time restrictions on Laycock Lane and Chapel Road, Laycock, Keighley.

Recommended –

(1)       That the objection to the proposals (as shown in Drawing No.    TDG/THN/013534/TRO-1A attached as Appendix 1 to Document “J”) be overruled and that the TRO be sealed and implemented as      advertised.

(2)       That the objector be advised accordingly.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Simon D’Vali – 01274 432100)

Document “J” revealed that a request had been received from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the local bus company to introduce no waiting at any time restrictions on the junction of Laycock Lane and Chapel Road, Laycock.  The report explained that the junction was used as a turning head for the bus service between Keighley and Laycock.  Buses from Keighley passed the junction mouth on Laycock Lane before reversing back into Chapel Road and heading back towards Keighley on Laycock Lane.  The restrictions had been requested to ensure that the junction was kept clear to facilitate the necessary bus manoeuvres and maintain the bus timetable.  A large scale map and colour photographs of the area were circulated.

An objection to the scheme had been received and details of that objection and corresponding officer comments were contained in the report.

Two residents were in attendance and addressed the meeting to outline their concerns.  One resident maintained that there were no problems with cars parking in that location.  She explained that she had kept a diary of parking in the area from the end of September and since that time there had been only one delivery van parking for two minutes on 28 September which had not restricted the bus movements and a highways vehicle had been parked for 90 minutes whilst conducting repairs.  That vehicle had been parked away from the proposed restrictions.  It was maintained that the bus had never been unable to reverse because of cars parked on Chapel Lane.  Conversely she felt that the problems in the area were created by the bus vehicles themselves as when they reversed up Chapel Lane they stopped all traffic and pedestrians accessing the area as the vehicles filled the whole width of the road.   Her neighbour reported that she had only recently moved to the area in August but since that time had witnessed a number of occasions when the bus had mounted the pavement and she had felt that a bus was going to drive into her house.  She explained that she had taken photographs that afternoon of two incidents when the bus vehicles had mounted the pavement whilst reversing. She explained that there were a minimal number of people driving in the area, maybe six per day, but that yellow lines would cause problems for the limited time there were delivery vehicles or residents ordered on line shopping.   It was maintained that the area was already covered by advisory white lines to protect the junction. 

A Member requested clarification of the difference between  ‘white’ and ‘yellow’ lines and was informed that white lining was an advisory restriction which was not enforced.  In support of the residents one Member suggested that if residents observed the Highway Code’s advisory linings there would be no requirement for restrictions.  He agreed that the issue appeared to be the size of the buses and that yellow lines.  He  believed that restrictions were not necessary as there was no evidence of cars blocking that area.

It was questioned if the area could be serviced by smaller bus vehicles and in response it was explained that the route was not suitable for smaller vehicles as when it left the town centre it was fully occupied as the route also served the Braithwaite and Highfield areas.

Resolved –

(1)          That the objection to the proposals (as shown in Drawing No. TDG/THN/013534/TRO-1A attached as Appendix 1 to Document “J”) be upheld and that the TRO be abandoned.

(2)       That the objector be advised accordingly.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)