Blackspots across the district will be targeted in a multi-thousand pound bid to cut accidents on the roads.

Councillors are expected to give the thumbs up at tomorrow's Executive Committee to the authority's biggest casualty reduction programme.

Transport chief Latif Darr says it is a "people's plan" drawn up after extensive consultation, mainly through the district's neighbourhood forums.

He said: "They know better than anyone where the problems are because they live there and know what happens.

"We didn't want a safety plan simply produced by the Council. This is from the community."

The Government has given the Council permission to borrow £876,000 for a programme which includes traffic calming, new signs and help for people crossing roads.

There are road refuges, improved crossings and traffic lights in areas where road users said there were dangers.

The allocation is the second biggest in Yorkshire and Humberside and the Council believes it is recognition of other successful schemes.

And in another separate plan, members are being recommended tomorrow to spend £175,000 on new street lights to cut crime and fear.

Councillors will also be asked by officers to plough a further £820,000 into main road maintenance - on top of a £1 million maintenance programme approved by councillors in December.

The committee is also likely to set aside £143,000 to pay for traffic regulation orders for projects including yellow lines, one way streets and speed limits..

Previous casualty reduction programmes in the district are said by officers to have prevented an estimated 1,121 accidents in the past nine years.

But the Council is not resting on its laurels and has set ambitious targets for the future.

It aims to cut deaths and serious injuries for all road users by 22 per cent by 2005. But road safety chiefs want a 40 per cent reduction for pedestrians.

Councillor Darr, executive committee member for transport and planning said: "All of these measures will help to improve road safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

"We are very proud of our success in saving so many people from being hurt in the district's roads over the last few years and it is vital that we continue to extend the number of life saving schemes.

"It is also important that we develop the best solutions through continued involvement with local communities."

Successful schemes already completed include:

CULLINGWORTH crossroads mini roundabout, which is estimated to have saved 36 people from injury since it was introduced in 1994;

UPPER Rushton Road traffic calming, estimated to have prevented 36 casualties since 1996;

New Cross Street traffic calming in West Bowling (29 since 1994);

HALL Ings/Bridge Street junction improvements (80 road accidents over five years reduced to 30)

Broadstone Way, Holme Wood traffic calming (40 casualties over five years virtually eliminated. )

The new casualty reduction measures are not connected with a £12.8 million transport package over the next two years funded by the Council and Metro which was reported by the Telegraph & Argus last week.

That package - which will also go to the committee for approval - includes the redevelopment of the Interchange and Keighley bus station.

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