The removal of trees and shrubs at a roundabout could lead to increased speeds and the risk of more accidents, a highways expert has warned.

Silsden Parish Council has raised concerns over visibility at the junction on the A629 Aire Valley Trunk Road between Silsden and Steeton.

And it has asked highways bosses to consider cutting down the trees and shrubs on the roundabout and to look at providing ways for pedestrians to cross it.

The Highways Agency has agreed that improvements in sightlines could be achieved by the removal of a nine metre wide band around the outside of the roundabout but it is concerned that the removal of the swathe could result in further problems.

Highways Agency route manager Mark Schofield said: "The accident record at the junction is not as bad as some roundabouts, with 22 accidents being recorded at the junction between June 1993 and June 1998.

"The removal of planting and the improvement of sightlines could possibly result in an increase in traffic speeds at the junction and consequently an increase in the number and severity of accidents.

"The use of planting in the centre of roundabouts has been, with some success, used elsewhere in the country to reduce sightlines and therefore act as a traffic calming measure."

The planting of the roundabout was originally carried out following pressure from the Chamber of Commerce and the parish council to improve its appearance. If the planting were removed, it would probably be replaced by a grass verge - which, Mr Schofield says, would lead to increased maintenance costs and leave a problem in maintaining its current tidy appearance.

With regard to helping pedestrians cross the roundabout, Mr Schofield said: "The agency has recently completed a study into the problems encountered by pedestrians and cyclists at the junction.

"The report has made a number of recommendations which we are currently discussing with Bradford Council to see which may be the most appropriate."

Mr Schofield has agreed to meet parish councillors in the future to discuss any further concerns and seek their views and comments.

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