Action demanded to halt traffic chaos in Silsden

Roadworks have left motorists fuming and facing massive delays as they try to get through Silsden.

And one district councillor has issued a stark warning, fearing that the latest problems are "just the start of things to come".

Keighley's Conservative MP, Robbie Moore, is calling on Bradford Council to better co-ordinate permissions for temporary traffic lights.

He has written to the council's chief executive, Kersten England, voicing his concerns and demanding that a structured plan be drawn-up to minimise disruption.

"The traffic through Silsden is disgraceful at the best of times – what we are witnessing now is pure chaos," said Mr Moore.

"I commute through the town regularly and know first-hand how disruptive these temporary lights are to residents and commuters.

"Whilst many of the lights are put-up for construction projects which are not run by Bradford Council, it is ultimately the responsibility of the council – as the highways authority – to grant contractors permission. The council should then have the power to put limitations on how and when the lights are used.

"I have raised this as an urgent matter with the chief executive, asking that an action plan be put in place to keep consecutive roadworks and temporary traffic lights to a minimum and to look into disabling the lights at rush-hour to keep traffic flowing.

"The increased stop-start traffic congestion throughout the town will also be contributing to a rapid rise in poor air quality at certain pinch-points around Silsden, especially on Kirkgate, Keighley Road and Bolton Road. I know the council is trying to improve air quality in areas around Bradford – let’s see how seriously it is taking it in Silsden."

Disruption has been caused by roadworks in Keighley Road, where there is a scheme for homes on the old Riverside Works site.

Bradford Council says it has acted in a bid to alleviate problems.

A spokesperson said: "Before work began we required the Riverside contractor to run manually-controlled lights with spotters during the day to improve traffic flow and minimise queues. Automatic controls were only allowed during off-peak hours.

"It appears the contractor hasn’t followed these instructions so we have warned that its permit could be withdrawn if it doesn't put the correct measures in place. It looks like it has responded positively and things have now improved, but we will monitor the situation to ensure everything is done to keep the traffic moving.

"We are funding additional works to reconstruct an important retaining wall 2.5 miles further north along the A6034. This is part of an essential maintenance programme and unfortunately cannot be delayed.

"Aside from emergencies, further works on this stretch will be held off until the Riverside works has been completed."

Silsden town mayor, Councillor Mags Croft, says she is frequently caught-up in the traffic herself when going about her work as an activities therapist.

"I try to walk wherever I can – and fortunately a couple of my clients are in Silsden – but I do still have to use my car too and get stuck in the traffic every day," she said.

"It's an issue that's talked about a lot, but as a town council we do not have a say – Bradford is the highways authority."

Councillor Rebecca Whitaker, who represents Craven ward on Bradford Council and is Silsden's deputy mayor, describes the traffic situation as "an absolute nightmare".

She says a string of large-scale housing developments in the town have put increasing pressure on the road network and other infrastructure.

"I believe these current problems are just the start of things to come," she said.

"Today’s traffic situation is a consequence of the endless large-scale planning applications which have been approved by Bradford Council.

"I as a district ward councillor and Councillor Michael O'Dwyer, the former Silsden town mayor, have attended planning panels to oppose numerous applications. But our objections often fall on deaf ears and panel members invariably go with the planning officers' recommendations for approval. Officers should listen to the people who have local knowledge and a far greater understanding of what the impact and issues are in their own areas."

Cllr Whitaker said she was "very concerned" about the impact of the traffic problems on businesses' trade – and for the health of residents, with the increased pollution levels.

She added: "I have stated for years that the A6034 was never, ever built for this amount of traffic.

"We have had hundreds of new homes built or approved just off this main arterial road through Silsden and that is causing more and more traffic congestion. Add to this the never-ending roadworks with the building of the ‘Great Wall of Cringles’ – which has been ongoing for years – and then the opening soon of the new Silsden Primary School which will, without doubt, add to the chaotic highways nightmare.

"I, along with other town councillors, have advocated a more holistic way of looking at future housebuilding in the town and not the random method that Bradford Council has imposed on Silsden.

"As a small town, we simply do not have the infrastructure to cope nor the transport links to deal with the large amount of housing.

"This is also having a huge negative impact on highway safety. A well-thought-through highway resilience plan must be agreed as a matter of urgency in order to manage the flow of traffic through Silsden. A ban on heavy goods vehicles coming through the town should be implemented straightaway – they impact on pedestrian safety as they mount the kerbs and add to the congestion and pollution. Silsden Town Council has requested this ban countless times over many years.

"Bradford Council appears not to care about residents on the edge of the district. Enough is enough. We don’t want or need any more housing nor the highways chaos which we are now seeing."