Have your say on plans to tackle traffic nightmare

Barring through traffic from two major roads in the town centre is amongst options put forward.

Residents, people who work in the town and visitors are all encouraged to have their say.

An online consultation has been launched – at letstalk.bradford.gov.uk/keighley-transport-study – and a drop-in event takes place at the Airedale Shopping Centre on Thursday (September 12), between 9am and 4pm.

The Keighley Transport Study has put forward three proposals, each of which would involve different levels of change and investment, designed to ease congestion on the town's traffic-choked roads.

One option would see through traffic removed from Cavendish Street and North Street. Vehicular access would be maintained on Cavendish Street, and there would be full bus priority. Restricted access would apply in North Street.

Under a second proposal, there would be full bus priority in Cavendish Street and a remodelled North Street, with most through traffic removed and access maintained for all users.

And the third option includes westbound bus priority in Cavendish Street, with some through traffic removed.

The study and consultation is being headed up by Bradford Council, with support from the Government-funded Keighley Towns Fund.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw – Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, transport and planning – says: "Each of these proposals has been developed following feedback from our initial survey and we are confident that they will all work to improve the flow of traffic in the town.

"Each has its own significant positive merits, and everyone is invited to be part of the consultation as to which they think would best benefit the town. Our highways team will be available to talk to people at the Airedale Centre to outline the beneficial impact of the proposed options and feedback people’s opinions."

Tim Rogers, chair of Keighley Town Board, encourages people to have their say.

He adds: "This consultation gives local residents and businesses the opportunity to comment on travel flow in and around Keighley and I would urge everyone to take this chance to share their opinions on the options being proposed."

And Paul Turner – commercial director of Transdev Blazefield, which runs Keighley Bus Company – says: "The study highlights how important reliable buses are to Keighley’s economy and the proposals will give buses and active travellers better priority to make their journeys less congested. We encourage bus users and non-users alike to participate in this consultation so your views are heard."