Determined residents sick of rat-running traffic have vowed to tackle the problem once and for all.

People on Old Pool Bank have faced a deluge of traffic avoiding the Dyneley Arms crossroads for years and all attempts to control the vehicles have failed in the past.

But now residents in both upper and lower Old Pool Bank are campaigning for action.

Following a public deputation at this month's Pool Parish Council, residents of the lower half of Old Pool Bank have taken part in a survey, which has been sent to highways chiefs.

The 51 households were given the survey and 44 responded. All of the residents were concerned about the speed of traffic and 95 per cent believed too many cars use Old Pool Bank.

And 95 per cent of the people surveyed said that they would support the classification of lower Old Pool Bank as access only and a 30mph zone.

Jean Fisher, who lives in Sandy Lobby, said that the new Wilson Connolly Pool Mews development will increase the number of households using Old Pool Bank by 45 per cent.

Ms Fisher has led the residents of lower Old Pool Bank in submitting their comments to the Highways Department of Leeds City Council.

Jean Fisher said: "Our main concerns are that we reduce the volume and speed of the traffic using lower Old Pool Bank before we reach the unenviable situation of having an identified personal injury record for the road.

"Currently lower Old Pool Bank is covered by the national speed limit.

"Residents believe this limit, coupled with the recent resurfacing of the road, encourages many cars to travel at speeds which are dangerous for other vehicles and pedestrians accessing lower Old Pool Bank."

Brenda Lancaster, Pool Parish Council's newest councillor, said that people were risking their lives when they walked up and down Old Pool Bank.

She said: "We have had the police doing a check and they did talk to some people who were accessing it for rat-running.

"This has been a recurring issue but in the past the council found there were four children and now there are 13.

"There are a lot of people who use the road for walking to the bus or into the village and I walk my dog on a morning but it is dangerous.

"We have had a meeting of people on Old Pool Bank and we are now trying to get a speed reduction and ask for better signage.

"Really we are just resurrecting what has gone on before but we have had two good meetings, one chaired by me and Pool Parish Council chaired by Hazel Lee.

"Hopefully this will be the last time to fight and we will get the results that we want."

In a response to the traffic meetings Brian Shaw, Principal Engineer of traffic management west in Leeds City Council, said he would propose to undertake repeat surveys of the upper half of Old Pool Bank and initiate surveys o the lower half. He added that once that information is available he would be in a better position to determine if there has been a change in traffic patterns and usage and give consideration to residents' comments.