Villagers are being consulted about proposals to impose a 20mph speed limit in Oxenhope.

The idea is part of a strategy being considered by parish councillors who say residents want "people-friendly" solutions to their traffic problems.

And they have sent out a consultation document to residents before beginning detailed discussions with Bradford Council.

The strategy also suggests using Hoppa buses in narrow Denholme Road rather than conventional vehicles, a mini roundabout at the junction of Station Road and Hebden Road, and mirrors to help drivers emerging from Trough Lane see vehicles approaching from the village.

Members have come up with the suggestions because of long-standing concerns about the speed and volume of traffic in the village.

Introducing the document, parish council chairman Chris Brown said: "The parish council and the district council have agreed to co-operate in the development of a traffic strategy for Oxenhope. As a first step the parish council consulted residents through the Press and by a leaflet inviting comments on traffic issues around the parish."

He said that a sub group of the parish council then put together the consultation document.

In it parish councillors say narrow roads in a village largely built as a working community in an age of horse-drawn transport are seen as essential parts of the local environment.

But they say increased commuter transport and traffic associated with new housing does not mix with the needs of village businesses and amenities and with those of walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The parish council believes action is clearly necessary if all the uses are to be balanced but it rejects the conventional solutions of road widening, the demolition of roadside stone walls, the opening out of road junctions and the creation of large-scale off-street parking.

Instead, it calls for more limited people-friendly solutions such as altering the use of roads to suit their capacity, reducing speeds and preventing the use of unsuitable roads by heavy vehicles.

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