A DISTRICT councillor has called Bradford Council’s plans for 20mph zones ‘virtual signalling’ rather than being aimed at addressing real speeding issues in Ilkley.

Councillor Kyle Green (Con, Ilkley) said: “At present the current 20mph zones ignore areas where they are needed, such as around schools like Ben Rhydding Primary School, All Saints Primary School and along roads around Ilkley Grammar School, where 20mph speed restrictions could have a positive impact on saving lives and promoting safer roads. Instead, these proposals concentrate on a blanket coverage of Ilkley town centre, where the volume of traffic and current traffic management systems already in place mean that these areas surely must be less of a priority than around school areas, where lives could be saved, encouraging less pollution and more environmentally-friendly ways to travel to school.

“In this light, if these zones are to encourage less pollution and to increase the use of cycling, especially e-bikes, they must be effectively enforced so that road users other than motorists can feel safe in using them.”

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “Twenty mile per hour zones are a proven way of reducing road casualties and will help make Ilkley a safer and more attractive place for everyone.

“The measures, which are supported by the police and road safety campaigners such as BRAKE and RoSPA, are part of a programme rolling out 20mph zones across our urban centres.

“The 20mph zones in Ilkley are yet to be defined but are highly likely to include areas around local schools - improving safety of children and vulnerable road users is one of the primary benefits of the scheme.

“Bradford Council’s highways officers have started surveying speed and traffic volumes which will help determine how the zones are introduced and enforced.

“We are working with Ilkley Town Council on proposals for a 20mph zone in Ben Rhydding but funding for this needs to be secured.

“The scheme will follow approved Department for Transport guidance for self-enforcing 20mph zones.

“Where there are concerns regarding speed, the police will respond appropriately.”