A NOTORIOUS rat run through a Wharfedale village should be closed off and made 'access only' for beleaguered residents, a pressure group has claimed.

Old Pool Bank road in Pool-in-Wharfedale has been closed to through traffic since November last year when part of the road began to collapse down the valley.

But at Pool Parish Council meeting, a note read to members by Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Wharfedale) suggested that the cost of repairing the road could reach £1 million pounds.

Now, community group Pool 2020 is suggesting keeping the road closed to through traffic and making it 'access only' for people living along the road.

Residents have long campaigned for an end to rat-running by commuters and a public meeting was held by Pool Parish Council to discuss the subject less than 12 months ago.

Pool 2020 chairman Bernard Mitchinson said: "I am starting to think that the road should be made access only. Who knows, possibly we could be saving the taxpayer a lot of money and get rid of a popular rat run.

"This is perhaps a good chance to look at changing the nature of the road entirely and there is a case for closing it to ordinary traffic.

"I'm considering the lower half which is presently closed because of road slippage. The upper half is a different and much more complex situation."

Mr Mitchinson stressed that this was only an idea that the pressure group would be considering and that residents would be asked for their opinions of the proposals in a future edition of Pool 2020's newsletter, Pool Vision, which is delivered free to every home in the village.

Old Pool Bank road resident and former parish councillor Jo Mallinson said she generally welcomed the idea.

"Since the landslide the traffic has been reduced and it is a lot better, which just goes to show that the rat-runners don't really need to use the road. Part of the road is already access only but drivers don't take any notice.

"After the public meeting last year we were promised road markings and various works by the city council, but nothing has been done."

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: "Since the extent of subsidence came to light, the council laboratory has been looking into the case and the potential remedies.

"We have now received the report outlining the options and after carrying out preliminary costings and assessments we have identified a preferred method which we feel is likely to provide a long-term solution.

"This will involve using buried vertical columns to support the section which is slipping and to allow drainage of the unstable area. We are now carrying out detailed design work with a view to engaging contractors early in 2002."