ILKLEY’S Conservative district councillors and MP Robbie Moore have spoken out against a plan to impose blanket 20mph limits and traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, across Ilkley and Ben Rhydding.

Instead they are backing a targeted approach, focused on schools and areas with genuine road safety concerns, and urge residents to have their say when the consultation is launched.

The current plans, which have been drawn up by Bradford Council and are backed by Ilkley Town Council, would see the whole of Ilkley and Ben Rhydding south of the A65 covered by a 20mph zone. They also propose over 100 speed cushions and speed tables across the town, including on roads such as Ben Rhydding Road, Clifton Road, Grove Road, and Hebers Ghyll Drive.

Cllr Andrew Loy (Conservative) said: “I promised to campaign for targeted 20mph zones and other road safety improvements around schools and problem areas before I was elected in May, and that is exactly what I want to see. I do not believe there is the need or support for a blanket approach.

“I also do not agree with the Greens and Lib Dems on the Town Council handing over £87,500 to Bradford for the scheme. Highways are Bradford Council’s responsibility, and Ilkley residents already pay enough in council tax and parking charges, without paying via the Town Council precept too.”

Cllr Kyle Green (Conservative) said: “I have worked very hard to support active and safer travel across Ilkley and Ben Rhydding. I led the campaign for a new zebra crossing for IGS students on Cowpasture Road, worked with local residents to deliver the hugely successful Ashlands path, and have also secured funding to change the dangerous zebra crossing on the A65 to traffic lights after working with local residents.

“I do not believe that spending over £200,000 on this scheme is the best way to improve safety or improve active travel. This scheme needs to go back to the drawing board and revise its plans so schools and problem areas have measures put in place. Savings from this can then be used to fund real improvements to help active travel or fund speed prevention methods such as speed cameras.”

Robbie Moore MP said: “Whilst I absolutely support increasing road safety measures outside schools and specific areas of concern in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding, imposing a blanket 20mph zone on residents is clearly not the answer, and this Bradford Council plan is an unwise use of my constituents’ hard-earned money.”

“It is clear that what we need is a targeted approach, and I will be working with our brilliant District Councillors Andrew Loy and Kyle Green to oppose these plans and make sure that residents get improved road safety measures in places where these road safety concerns are actually justified.”

Other road safety improvements backed by the district councillors include lowering the speed limit on Hangingstone Road and Moor Road from 50mph to 30mph, which is expected to be introduced soon, and proposals for speed cameras on Cowpasture Road and a crossing island on Skipton Road by Hickory House nursery.

The consultation is currently planned to take place online and in person, with a drop in session from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Tuesday, December 13 at the Clarke Foley Centre. Further details will be available shortly.