Householders fear traffic moves in Baildon will lead to more drivers using their streets

Bradford Council plans to stop drivers nipping along Strathallan Drive and surrounding streets in Baildon, to avoid queues on Baildon Road leading to the Otley Road junction, have received 20 objections.

Last July the Council consulted members of Shipley Area Committee, road user groups and residents following concerns from people living on Strathallan Drive about the amount of traffic and road safety.

A traffic survey in 2012 found that 97 vehicles used the road as a short cut between 8am and 9am.

Council officers put forward two solutions and the most popular was to put ‘except for access’ orders on Strathallan Drive, Castlemore Road and Moorlea Drive.

The area committee agreed funding for changes to happen this financial year.

But 14 people living on nearby Netherhall Road fear drivers will now cut along their street instead.

A Bradford Council report to Shipley Area Committee members said four other objections had also been received.

One objection said: “Many near misses have already been witnessed in Netherhall Road. The proposals would increase the volume of traffic in Netherhall Road and hence this would increase the road safety hazards on this road.”

Another said: “Residents including children are having difficulty in crossing Netherhall Road during rush hours when children are going to school.

“It is also very difficult to exit our driveways during the morning time. A resident on one occasion had to wait for 28 vehicles to pass before it was safe to move.”

But the Council said that traffic on Netherhall Road would be investigated and monitored if the scheme went ahead.

Officers recommend that the area committee note the objections, but continue with the planned changes.

The report, from Simon D’Vali, says: “Members should be aware that any changes to in the scheme advertised order would have legal and financial implications.”

The committee meets on Wednesday, May 1, at 6pm, at Shipley Town Hall.