Proposed changes to road layouts in Ilkley will cause more accidents, warn road-safety campaigners and civic leaders.

Protesters have raised concerns about planned roadworks for Brook Street and Station Road.

They claim that replacing the zebra crossings on both streets with light-controlled puffin crossings would be unsafe and harm the appearance of the area. The work is part of the next phase of Ilkley's ambitious road traffic management scheme.

Propos-als are included in the final plans currently on display at Ilkley Library and the Clarke Foley Centre.

John Cockshott, Chairman of Ilkley Civic Society Trans-port Planning Working Party, said: "When the report was presented to the public last year, it was warmly welcomed. But we are greatly concerned by the proposal in the current consultation to replace the zebra crossings at the south end of Brook Street and on Station Road with signal controlled crossings.

"Signal controlled crossings mean pedestrians can only cross when permitted to do so. They put vehicles first, at the heart of the town."

Ilkley parish councillor and Ilkley Design Statement Group Secretary Kate Brown is urging people to make their feelings known at consultation meetings.

She said: "We are concerned that puffin crossings will lead to additional street furniture and more street lines.

"We would urge residents to attend this consultation and express their views because the zebras are within the conservation area and seem to work very well."