Safety fears for pedestrians on popular Keighley route
Pedestrians visiting a town beauty spot are "running the gauntlet" of fast-moving vehicles, say campaigners. And without action, it's feared there could be a fatality. Resident Malcolm Balmforth is amongst those who uses the road, Black Hill Lane, regularly to visit Keighley Tarn.
A section of the route has no pavement. "I'm very concerned that there's going to be a catastrophic accident," says Mr Balmforth. "Increasing numbers of pedestrians are using that lane, to visit the tarn, but also to go to the cemetery opposite.
"People, including many with dogs, are running the gauntlet of speeding traffic. "There is an area which some pedestrians use when it's dry, but most stay on the road. "It needs a public footpath on the right going up Black Hill Lane."
He adds: "A lot of the people who like me take their dogs to the tarn comment on how dangerous it is walking up and down that road. "Quite a few of them wear high-visibility clothing as a safety measure, but there have been numerous near misses. "Motorists use the route as a short cut and at quieter times cars fly up and down there.
"Something urgently needs doing." Town councillor John Kirby, Keighley's current mayor, says similar concerns have been raised in the past and he supports the demands for action. The road is on the border between his Braithwaite & Laycock ward and neighbouring Spring Gardens & Utley.
"A few years ago I actively advocated for the creation of a footpath in response to concerns," says Councillor Kirby. "It is crucial that we address these ongoing issues and I wholeheartedly support the exploration of ways to enhance safety measures in the area. "The wellbeing of our community is of utmost importance and I am unwavering in my commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all residents."
And Keighley MP Robbie Moore says: "It's deeply frustrating that after years of tireless efforts and campaigning from residents for a public footpath on Black Hill Lane, Bradford[1] Council continues to refuse to back these plans - which would undoubtedly improve pedestrian safety. "The council can't find the money for a project that residents actually want, but over in Ilkley[2] it magically found more than GBP80,000 to install a blanket, town-wide 20mph zone and speed humps against the overwhelming wishes of residents. "The council has also unfairly underfunded Keighley's highways, with a Freedom of Information request finding it spent just GBP4.1 million on highways in Keighley over a six-year period - versus GBP19.2m in Bradford East, GBP17.4m in Bradford West and GBP13.1m in Bradford South constituencies."
Bradford Council was contacted for a comment, but hadn't responded at the time of writing.