A councillor has called for urgent talks on traffic congestion in the Steeton and Eastburn area.

Eric Dawson, who represents the villages on Bradford council, claims the build-up of traffic between the Dalesway junction and Steeton traffic lights is worse now than before the Aire Valley Trunk Road was built. He blames controversial traffic calming road humps introduced last spring in Stat-ion Road, Cross Hills, by North Yorkshire county council.

He now says Bradford and North Yorkshire councils must get together to find a solution.

"Ten years ago, after much negotiations, we finally got the Aire Valley Trunk Road," says Cllr Dawson. "But heavy-goods drivers soon realised they could save a probable delay at the Kildwick level crossing if they turned right at the Dalesway junction. This brou-ght the polluting heavy traffic back through Steeton and Eastburn before they rejoined the trunk road at Silsden.

"As a counter measure, myself and Steeton with East-burn parish council negotiated an 'access only' for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on the A629 which had become the B6265 when it was de-trunked."

Mr Dawson says the respite has been short-lived because the controversial speed humps in Cross Hills have diverted traffic back to the Dalesway junction. He also says that car drivers are still avoiding delays at Kildwick crossing by travelling through Eastburn and Steeton, causing a big build-up of vehicles at Steeton traffic lights.

"The problem is getting worse," he says. "When are Bradford and North Yorkshire councils going to sort this out? The traffic calming measures in Cross Hills effectively divert 90 per cent of traffic coming from the A6068 from Lancashire through Steeton and East-burn."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire county council says it holds regular meetings with other authorities and agencies over various issues. "If people are concerned then we will be happy to discuss it."

Cllr Latif Darr, chairman of Bradford council's transportation, planning and design committee, says: "Cllr Dawson should raise any concerns at the council's transportation, planning and design committee.

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