Residents concerned about pedestrian safety at Ireland Bridge, Bingley

Local resident Lorna Jones has raised a number of concerns with Bradford Council about pedestrian safety at Ireland Bridge on Millgate in Bingley.

She said: "I want to raise concerns we as a community are facing on a daily basis, taking our lives in our hands trying to cross the road across Ireland Bridge.

Residents are concerned about pedestrian safety at Ireland Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

It is a Georgian-listed bridge, and because of that Bradford Council it is "prevented from making substantial alterations".

Ms Jones, however, explained: "It has become extremely difficult and dangerous due to the increased amount of traffic, cars, light vans, heavy laden HGVs and articulated lorries which are trying to avoid paying Bradford's Clean Air Zone by bypassing it using the rural country roads."

A number of HGVs and lorries cross Ireland Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

"With the number of wagons coming over the bridge, it's terribly, terribly dangerous.

"These roads are not built for that and the bridge was not built for the heavy loaders.

Residents struggle with narrow footpaths on Ireland Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

"It's impossible to cross the road and when two people meet each on the narrow footpath, one person has to walk into the road.

"It's absolutely terrifying. A lot of elderly people live in the area.

Bingley resident Lorna Jones says something needs to be done to improve pedestrian safety on Ireland Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

"I've called the Council several times and written to the MP," she said. "I've had concerns about this bridge for a while.

"It's also dangerous at night because of speeding cars.

"To make it safe, a crossing should be in place, next to the bus stop, opposite the entrance to the Brown Cow.

Ireland Bridge at Bingley (Image: Newsquest)

"The Council makes lots of excuses but takes no action."

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “The bridge is a listed structure and a heritage asset. This prevents the carrying out of substantial alterations to the bridge, including the construction of footpaths and crossings, however we have previously carried out safety work at this location including the construction of bollards on the existing footpaths to protect pedestrians.

“We will continue to assess options, including exploring whether lower speed limits in this area would be helpful. We have no evidence of any increase in road safety issues since the Clean Air Zone launched last September.

“We have looked closely at alternative routes for HGVs but unfortunately concluded that there are no viable alternative routes – routes via Cottingley for example would contribute an additional seven-mile round trip and have knock-on impacts on the local road network.

“We have previously considered signals on the bridge and single lane running but the impact on congestion is considered to be very significant in the local area around the bridge.”

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