MOST people would have to admit that there is a serious problem with the zebra crossings at the top of Brook Street and just around the corner on Station Road.

The combination of the two can cause a major hold-up to traffic on both roads, but the latest proposals to turn them into crossings controlled by lights have not been met with universal approval. Some people want both crossings to remain as they are with the pedestrians given absolute priority over vehicles. Others think that pedestrian crossing lights would be a visual intrusion on the street scene.

Supporters of the planned controlled crossings consider that pedestrians and vehicles should share the priority. At the moment vehicles seem to be getting a raw deal because people, both drivers and pedestrians, fail miserably to use the crossings sensibly.

Traffic often gets snarled up because some pedestrians cannot be bothered to wait 20 seconds or so to let a few cars go past before they cross.

People can often be seen running towards either crossing in a mad, pointless, dash to stop any stationary cars setting off after the last set of people have crossed. The result is traffic chaos and frustrated drivers.

And there are the car drivers who must obey some inner compulsion to stop even though people wanting to use the crossing are at least 20 yards away and are quite prepared to ease the pace of their step and wait for two or three cars to progress before sallying forth.

People who drive as if pedestrians need only the slightest encouragement to commit suicide by diving headlong in front of a moving car at the first chance they get would be well advised to go back to driving school.

Anyone who stands and observes the goings on at Ilkley's two zebra crossings for a profitable half-an-hour will be rewarded with a fascinating insight into human behaviour. The Gazette is also sure that such an observer would come away with the impression that some sort of solution is needed.