Denholme councillors say they are “deeply disappointed” Bradford Council has scuppered plans for traffic lights at a dangerous road junction in the village.
They have now asked the local authority to reconsider putting lights in New Road as part of a proposed housing development.
Bailey Bros Builders applied to construct 35 houses on a field at the junction of New Road and Long Causeway in June, having previously consulted with villagers and Denholme Town Council.
During the consultation, they presented a number of different improvements to New Road, which already has heavy traffic flows, to help it cope with extra vehicles from the new homes.
The town council recommended new traffic lights at the site, and it was the most popular option with the public, too. But when the application was submitted there were no lights, or a roundabout. Instead, the road improvements will consist of new road markings and signs.
The document said dropping the traffic light plans was at the request of Bradford Council, with officers saying it was “inappropriate” from a highways safety perspective.
The town council has no objections to housing on the site, but a letter written by clerk Alison Swiszczowski to Bradford planning officers says: “We are deeply disappointed the highways department has persuaded the developers not to pursue a signalised junction to give access to the development, which was the preferred option of both Denholme Town Council and the residents attending the exhibition.
“We would urge the highways department to reconsider this.”
A recent traffic survey showed almost 3,000 vehicles used the road during the peak morning period and 3,500 in the evening peak period.
John Rowley, Bradford Council’s principal engineer, highway development control, said: “The professional opinion of our engineers is traffic signals are not needed at this junction.
“The opinion is the layout of the junction would require three-phase signals rather than the usual two, and this would increase potential delays.
“As part of the proposals for the development, the substandard visibility at the Long Causeway junction is being greatly improved, and this will significantly improve the safety of motorists. This forms part of the recommendation to the planning panel meeting, but the final decision will be made by members at that meeting.”
A meeting date has yet to be set.
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