A Shipley councillor claims lorry drivers are putting pedestrians' safety at risk by speeding through an estate to avoid a diversion.

Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East) fears there could be an accident - particularly with children - if the heavy goods vehicles continue using Festival Avenue and Owlet Road to bypass Shipley's Valley Road bridge, where a 7.5 tonne weight restriction was imposed earlier this year.

Bradford Council set up a signposted diversion to take heavy vehicles travelling from Bradford to Shipley along Manningham Lane.

But Coun Thornton says some drivers are using an alternative route through residential areas in a bid to cut journey times.

"Some heavy vehicles are going along Festival Avenue and Owlet Road to cut out the diversion but it's a residential area with a lot of children living locally and the roads are totally unsuitable for that size of vehicle,'' he said.

"We've got to get people to follow the diversion rather than rat-running through estates like this.

"A lot of children walk to school in this area and if they're having to cross the road faced by speeding 40 tonne articulated lorries I'm concerned there's a potential for accidents and injuries."

Eccleshill traffic manager Sgt Brian Pickford said any specific complaints would be investigated, adding: "Heavy goods vehicles shouldn't be travelling through residential areas anyway - and if they're speeding, that's even worse.

"If that was happening we'd certainly speak to and report any driver who was doing that."

Meanwhile, drivers are being warned to watch their speed on the A657 Leeds Road between Shipley and Thackley with police and Bradford Council joining forces for a crackdown.

A survey carried out last year revealed almost 90 per cent of motorists were speeding following a reduction in the speed limit from 40 to 30mph. More than 25 per cent were exceeding 40mph.

Sgt Pickford said: "The speed limit was reduced from 40 to 30mph in December 1996 but we continue to get people driving over that.

"It's a long straight stretch of road which has led to some drivers going faster than they should do.

"There have been one or two accidents although none have been speed- related but the fear is that if there is an accident and speed is involved it then becomes far more serious.

"What we're trying to do is get the message across and get people to stick to the speed limit."

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