Pledge to end traffic misery for villagers

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 12th Nov 2004.

Highways chiefs have pledged to carry out major work to help to relieve traffic congestion and tackle rat-runners making life a misery for residents.

More than 1,800 questionnaires were sent out to residents in the Cottingley asking them to give their views on a range of options to stop drivers using short-cuts between Bradford Road and Cottingley New Road.

Bradford Council received 525 completed questionnaires which also included options to improve the Bradford Old Road and Cottingley Moor Road junction.

Of the respondents 44 per cent said they wanted to see a one-way system introduced on the main roads through residential areas in the village to combat the rat-running. And 42 per cent said they wanted speed humps and 14 per cent said they didn't like either option.

To improve the Bradford Old Road and Cottingley Moor Road junction 41 per cent of people said they wanted a mini-roundabout; 26 per cent wanted to widen Bradford Old Road, near the Sun pub, and install traffic lights; and 19 per cent wanted to see Bradford Old Road widening on both sides of Cottingley Moor Road and installing traffic lights.

Richard Bruce, a senior engineer in Bradford Council's major works unit, said a report on the results would be compiled and presented to the Shipley area committee later this month.

Mr Bruce said: "The exact content of that report is undecided. But from the results I would say it looks like the mini-roundabout and one-way traffic calming option are the preferred two but we haven't decided yet what will be introduced.''

Mr Brookes said the Council was considering applying for experimental orders which would allow the measures to be introduced for a trial period. He said the work, which could also see speed humps introduced in Manor Drive, could begin next April.

"We are seriously looking at the issues and we are trying to get something done that will satisfy the local people,'' he added.

Cottingley resident Ken Patchett said rat-running was affecting residents' quality of life.

Mr Patchett, of The Avenue, said peak-time traffic was cutting up Grange Park Drive from the A650 and driving through a housing estate to Bradford Old Road in order to avoid the Cottin-gley New Road traffic lights.

The 67-year-old said 138 people living in the area, which includes Westwood Crescent, Eastwood Crescent, Grange Park Road, and the Linkway, had signed a separate petition calling for a ban on rat-runners through the area.

He said 799 cars had been noted driving through the estate between 7.30am and 9am one morning.

And he said the majority of the petitioners supported the permanent closure of the Linkway, which connects the estate to Manor Drive, effectively making the area a cul-de-sac.

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