The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “C”) outlines a petition that has been received which requests the closure of Westfield Lane.

The petition states that “Westfield Lane, BD10 ,Bradford has become a dangerous to the public “rat run” existing measures have not been able to address the chronic vehicle speeding and associated dangerous driving on Westfield Lane. The disregard towards the highway code on Westfield Lane has increased the risk of personal harm or fatality beyond what is called reasonably practical. We the undersigned are concerned citizens who urge Bradford Council to close Westfield Lane to through traffic to improve the safety and quality of life for all who live and walk on Westfield Lane.”

The report also explains the data that has been collected in respect of the speed and volume of traffic using Westfield Lane.

Recommended –

(1)  That no action be taken on the request for a closure of Westfield Lane.

(2)  That the petitioner be informed accordingly.

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “C”) outlined a petition that had been received and which requested the closure of Westfield Lane.

The petition stated that “Westfield Lane, BD10 ,Bradford has become a dangerous to the public “rat run” existing measures have not been able to address the chronic vehicle speeding and associated dangerous driving on Westfield Lane. The disregard towards the highway code on Westfield Lane has increased the risk of personal harm or fatality beyond what is called reasonably practical. We the undersigned are concerned citizens who urge Bradford Council to close Westfield Lane to through traffic to improve the safety and quality of life for all who live and walk on Westfield Lane.”

The report also explained the data that had been collected in respect of the speed and volume of traffic using Westfield Lane.

The Principal Engineer, Traffic and Road Safety presented the report and confirmed that two recent traffic surveys had provided results which did not give him cause for concern in respect of traffic speed. He also advised that quite a large section of the road already had traffic calming measures along it and that the road served a large area within the locality.

The lead petitioner attended the meeting and spoke in support of the petition. He also queried the accuracy of the data and whether the reference to collisions meant those involving people or whether it also included property. He was advised that the reference involved only those collisions involving people.

He reiterated his concerns that the data presented was not representative of the situation on Westfield Lane and that both the timing of the surveys and location of the data logger had not been appropriate.

A Member commented that, while he appreciated the concerns of the petitioner, he did not share them. He considered Westfield Lane to be a major through road, not a “rat run” and that, if closed, it would have a serious effect on neighbouring routes. He suggested that, if there was a genuine feeling that the data presented was not accurate, it should be collected again for future consideration.

Two local residents also attended the meeting and spoke in respect of the matter, explaining that the speed of passing traffic, especially at the weekend, was of particular concern to them.

Members commented on the concerns raised in respect of Westfield Lane and stated that they were familiar with the road and did not consider it to be a problem road and therefore considered that no action should be taken at this time. However, as there were on-going concerns about traffic use on the lane, data should be collected again at the point in the week highlighted by the petitioners and presented to the Committee for future consideration.   

A Member also queried whether alternative measures to closure had been considered and was advised that as the road was so long, any alternative measures would be very costly  and as the casualty rate was so low such measures would not be viable.

The lead petitioner was permitted to ask a further question of the presenting officer and queried the parameters of the data collected. He noted that the report stated that 85% of the data collected was utilised and asked what the actual upper speed levels were. He was advised that the highest speeds recorded on the lane were 50mph and 56mph respectively but that those were single instances in each case. The vast majority of results fell in the high 20s to 30mph parameter.

The lead petitioner concluded his remarks by presenting a press clipping from the Telegraph and Argus in 2003 and stating that nothing had changed since that time.   

Resolved –

(1)  That no action be taken on the request for a closure of Westfield Lane.

(2)  That the petitioner be informed accordingly.

(3)  That, taking into account the representations and comments made at this meeting, a weekend traffic survey be undertaken and an update report be brought to a future meeting of the Committee.

Action: Strategic Director, Place

(Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee)