Bradford Council have said today that the controversial 20mph zone scheme across the streets of Ilkley is set to go ahead.
The plans have divided Ilkley Town Council, with seven councillors (made up of Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent members) supporting the plans and seven Conservative councillors asking for a more targeted approach.
Ilkley Town Council has pledge £87,500 towards the scheme, which Bradford Council expects to cost £187,500.
The zone in Ilkley is the latest in Bradford Council’s 20mph zone programme, which has already reduced speeds on streets in Shipley and Bradford city centre.
After implementing the zones in Shipley and the city centre, Ilkley was next to be considered. Ilkley Town Council has provided an element of match funding with the Highways Agreement signed in October 2022 meaning it was possible to expand the zone to cover a wider area, including Ben Rhydding.
The calculation process to arrive at these final arrangements followed the guidelines set out by the Government. Ilkley’s 20mph scheme has been subject to public engagement for four years, including extensive public involvement and discussion in the Ilkley Neighbourhood Development Plan, which was adopted in 2022 via a full referendum of residents.
This was followed by an official public consultation phase where residents’ suggestions were considered to improve the designs. Most significantly the final proposals have reduced the overall number of calming locations from 120 to 58, and nearly all these locations are on “walk to school” routes.
The proposed traffic calming measures are a newer design of speed cushions and tables and are different to the old fashioned ‘humps’ that have been historically used on the outskirts of Ilkley.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said: “I understand the strength of feeling some people in Ilkley have over these proposals, particularly around traffic calming.
“We’ve listened, and throughout the development of the scheme the amount of traffic calming has been reduced by 50% - half the amount that was originally put forward.
“I’m confident these final proposals are right for Ilkley and will continue our successful district-wide strategy of rolling out 20mph zones in and around our urban centres, having already delivered similar successful schemes in Shipley and the city centre. The traffic calming now focuses primarily on the fastest roads and those around our schools and nurseries, which a lot of the feedback asked us to do.
“The whole point of public consultation is to identify issues and find a workable compromise that addresses any concerns without losing sight of the core purpose of the scheme. 20 mph zones are important to reduce average speeds, improve road safety and create a better environment for residents, pedestrians and cyclists. Creating a culture where people drive more slowly when they are in our town and city centres and around schools is the right thing to do and I look forward to the successful implementation of this scheme.”
Ilkley's MP, Robbie Moore, told Rombalds Radio: ”Well what a complete sham. If we have learnt anything from Bradford Council’s so-called ‘consultation’ process, it is that the whole thing has been a complete stitch-up from the start. Bradford never intended to properly listen and instead they have ignored the 91% of residents participating in the consultation who said they did not want a blanket, town-wide 20mph scheme.
"Our Labour, Lib Dem and Green Coalition on Ilkley Town Council clearly do not have the backbone to stand up for the majority of local residents who opposed this scheme. Instead - whilst giving Bradford the green light to proceed - they voted to hand over an £87,500 cheque of Ilkley’s money to Bradford to get the project underway.
"A targeted approach to tackle speeding in hotspot areas such as outside schools would have been much more appropriate, and to have spent the money on dangerous road junctions where issues are known - rather than a town-wide, blanket approach.
"This decision will no doubt do long-lasting damage to any future public consultation Ilkley Town Council or Bradford Council plans to hold - as residents will quite rightly ask: ‘What’s the point?’"
Installation is expected to begin in October with the scheme live before the end of the year.
More information about the final scheme can be found at Bradford Council - Decision - Ilkley 20mph Zone Objections (moderngov.co.uk)
Bradford Council have said due to a clerical error, some of the streets in the 20mph order have to be re-advertised. This does not prejudice any decisions that have been made to date.
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