A call has been made to ban large vehicles from The Grove in Ilkley.

District councillor Martin Smith (Con, Ilkley) is hoping to persuade Bradford Council's highways chiefs to impose restrictions on the size of vehicles using the route.

He said it was unacceptable for the street to be used as a rat run by traffic - motorists should be given easier access from Grove Road.

His plans include widening the road or removing parking places.

"I think the width and those parking spaces can actually reduce the speed of vehicles using The Grove," he said.

Coun Smith is also worried by new-look buses using the centre of Ilkley.

"They seem significantly wider than the ones they have replaced," he said.

Alec Henderson, chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, said: "I would go along with what he says. One of the prime reasons against heavy vehicles using The Grove is that they completely block the road.

"But the situation's a very difficult one - traders are finding things difficult and if we want to keep trade going in the town centre it's absolutely essential to allow parking on The Grove.

"But that doesn't leave much width for big vehicles which are causing a lot of congestion.''

But greengrocer and Bradford Chamber of Trade member Ron Asquith said he would be happy for things to stay the way they are.

"It does get busy but there are no major hold-ups," he said.

"If there was an alternative route it might be a good idea but there has to be access for deliveries so shops can get their produce and I can't see any big vehicles going to The Grove unless they are delivering.''

Mr Asquith said any move to reduce parking on The Grove to cut congestion would be a disaster for the town: "If parking was lost it would be a stab in the back for Ilkley - people would stop coming into town and there would be more empty shops.''

Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East), chairman of Bradford Council's highways sub-committee, said a traffic survey would be carried out in The Grove to assess the situation.

"It's not the first time I've heard of these concerns and if it's becoming a real issue in the community the appropriate step for the Council to take would be to carry out a survey and if there is a problem we will do something about it,'' he added.

If a problem was identified officers could prepare a report, detailing possible measures which could be taken, for councillors.

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