It is unlikely that closed-circuit television cameras can be installed in Haworth.

Villagers had hoped cameras could be installed in Main Street to improve community safety. But Bradford council official Trevor Green told Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury neighbourhood forum on Wednesday of technological difficulties. He explained the need for connection with a central control room in Keighley. Systems in Bingley and Shipley are linked to a control room via the railway line but this is not feasible for Haworth. Neither has it been possible to use a fibre-optic system linked with cable television and telephone lines.

Residents who attended the meeting at Lees First School were invited to put forward other suggestions for improving safety. They felt a stronger police presence, with foot patrols on an irregular basis, would deter vandals and burglars.

Keighley area co-ordinator Patrick Lawton said improved street lighting was a means of helping people feel safer and, thanks to a Keighley area panel grant, a new lamp has been installed on the footbridge from Haworth Station.

Residents suggested an improved neighbourhood watch scheme would also help, though they were reminded by a woman who had moved from London that crime was relatively low in the Worth Valley.

Pressure is to be put on the contractors rebuilding Hebden Road between Haworth and Oxenhope to remove rubbish as they go along. John Firby, the Bradford council official overseeing the scheme, was told plastic cabling, wire, pipes and metal had been left behind by sub-contractors whose generator was said to have leaked diesel for four months and whose kitchen waste water allegedly allowed to run away unchecked.

The amount of traffic travelling from Hebden Bridge to Oxenhope has been reduced by 50 per cent because of the temporary closure of Hebden Road. Now, because Oxenhope businesses are suffering, extra road signs have been installed making it clear that there is still access to Haworth through the village.

But Mr Firby said things did not seem to have improved.

Lorries are being diverted via Halifax and Hebden Bridge, except for deliveries, but he said it was not possible to open up the local diversion route to all traffic because of the unsuitability of the rural roads.

Mr Firby said the rebuilding work was on schedule for completion by January next year.

There have been no objections to the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Main Street, Haworth. The scheme will be implemented shortly and will be the first in the Bradford district not to include road narrowing or humps.

It is not possible to introduce free short-stay parking at the Parsonage car park at Haworth said Patrick Lawton. He said it might be possible to have a reduce rate for 30 minute stays but this would need strong public support.

The forum was told of the launch of a dog dirt clean-up campaign with fixed penalties of £25 on owners of dogs caught fouling pavements and other public areas. If cases get as far as court owners face a £1,000 fine.

Cross Roads residents said their village park attracted dog walkers after dark and they were keen that park rangers worked out of office hours to catch them.

Patrick Lawton urged people to encourage dog walkers to clean up after their animals or to obtain evidence of offences.

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