MORE than 300 people marched through Otley at the weekend to protest against gravel lorries using the town centre's roads.

Residents, town councillors and children all took part in Saturday's march which followed the route of the HGVs down Newall Carr Road, across Otley Bridge and through the town centre.

A minute's silence was held in the Market Square in respect of Otley woman Joan Babb, who died a year ago after being knocked down by a lorry in Boroughgate, and Harold Best MP spoke in support of an outright ban for through lorries.

Campaigners are now calling for people to lobby Leeds councillors at a meeting of Leeds City Council on Tuesday, November 4.

Action group Safety on Otley Roads (SOOR) was formed last November because of concerns about the increasing number of heavy vehicles, mainly gravel lorries from Greenhow Quarry, near Pateley Bridge, using the town to get to Leeds and Bradford.

Campaigners have held meetings with quarry operator Hanson Aggregates, which has led to lorries diverting one way through Lindley, Farnley and Norwood, but are still pressing for an outright ban.

Concerns are now being expressed by people in Norwood and Farnley that the increased number of lorries is causing damage to historic bridges and narrow country roads.

Phil Coyne, SOOR spokesman, urged people in the Market Square to support a ban on HGVs travelling through the town - but not those making deliveries or those based in the town.

"Traffic from Greenhow Quarry could easily turn in either direction on the A59 at Blubberhouses but the quarry owners and haulage companies choose to inflict their vehicles on the residents of Otley to save a few minutes in travelling time, he said.

John Morgan, of St Richard's Road, Otley, one of the marshals on the march, said: "I always thought it was a crazy notion to allow lorries through the town," he said.

Mr Morgan, who regularly rides his bicycle through Otley, added: "My biggest concern is that these whacking great lorries come down that great hill without a slip road, they shouldn't be coming along the road in the first place and there is no excuse."

Peter Scott, a father from Otley, said he was concerned about the possible danger to children.

"I used to be a paramedic and I remember seeing a child knocked down and killed by a lorry, I would hate to see that happen in Wharfedale."

Mary Silverwood, of Otley, said she was concerned for the safety of children walking along Bridge Street.

Mrs Silverwood, who had also witnessed a near accident involving an HGV while turning into Farnley Lane, said she had seen drivers on mobile telephones and rat running along Courthouse Street.

Christine Cooper from Otley said: "I'm worried for the safety of the children and also for the bridge, it's just not strong enough."

Ian Andrew, of the Otley Conservation Task Force, said: "My concern is that allowing HGV operators to continue using Otley town centre is not only detrimental to safety on Otley's roads, as we heard from Harold Best and others, but also threatening to our wonderful heritage.

"Much of the route that the HGV users take is through Otley Conservation Area and between historic buildings, many of which are listed. Imagine if it led to the bridge, itself a Scheduled Ancient Monument, being strengthened or widened; the HGV lobby might then consider pressing a case for straightening out Bridge Street, Clapgate and Kirkgate.

"The market could be chased from its traditional site. If not checked, such lack of consideration by outside hauliers could compel those who live and work in the town's fine buildings to desert them.

"Larger, heavier, faster and noisier through-traffic would rule the roost, the deserted buildings would crumble and fall, and the battle would be lost."

Three pensioners from Boroughgate, who wished not to be named, said they were concerned for their own safety.

"Lorries should definitely be banned from Otley. We would like to see the second half of the bypass finished, that would take a lot of traffic away from the town centre."

Hanson says it has sympathy with the protesters, and has done all it can to help the situation in Otley, but it has a business to run and jobs to protect.

A spokesman said the number of journeys through the town had been halved, following the introduction of a one way system which now sees just laden lorries coming through the town and empty ones returning to the quarry via Pool, Lindley, Farnley and Norwood.

The company says it will also take action against any driver reported driving badly, including driving while using a mobile telephone.