Latest news with #BradfordCouncil
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
The Bradford 'Wacky Races' street plagued by bad driving
Residents of a Bradford cul‑de‑sac in an area dubbed "Wacky Races" have said anti-social driving and nuisance parking are making life "intolerable".One man told the BBC he missed visiting his dying father because his driveway was blocked, and his neighbours on Oakwood Grove in Toller said cars are often left across pavements and on double yellow also describe anti-social behaviour such as revving engines and drivers performing "donuts" in the road, garden walls being knocked down and emergency services and delivery workers forced to knock on people's doors to get access.A petition has now been handed to Bradford Council to demand tougher enforcement and is under consideration. Residents blamed the inconsiderate parking on visitors and workers coming and going from takeaways on the main road, staff at nearby schools and nurseries, and parents on the school Khan, who moved to Bradford five years ago, said the situation was so bad that he had considered returning to London."It's just making life unnecessarily difficult for us on a daily basis," he said."It reached boiling point for me in April. My dad was very sick in hospital and a lady blocked my driveway and I couldn't get to the hospital. Although I made it later on to see my dad, he died a few days later. That incident just left me really emotional and distressed.""The road is already quite narrow, and emergency vehicles can't get past," he added."It's a life‑or‑death situation, unfortunately."Mr Khan and his neighbours have now submitted a petition to Bradford Council which calls for tougher enforcement, including extended double yellow lines and ANPR cameras. The wider Toller Lane area was recently described as a "Wacky Races" hotspot because of drivers ignoring rules around Asif, who has lived there for 27 years, said his disabled son often cannot be collected by an access Anna Lotycka, a resident of the street since 1967, said: "I've had my garden wall knocked down three times and the gate is all mangled up."It isn't just bad parking, it's actually bad driving that you're a victim of. "It's damage to the property and it puts my insurance up."She said the irresponsible behaviour also extended to lorry drivers making deliveries to nearby businesses and parking in the cul-de-sac. Another woman who had lived in the street for nearly 50 years, but asked not to be named, said she felt "panic" every time she goes outside her house because of the traffic situation."Sometimes the grocery truck comes to sell us vegetables," she said. "You want to go out, but there are cars on both sides."Then when he wants to leave, he knocks on every house and window and says 'please can you move your car so we can get out'."It's very, very difficult for us."Another homeowner, Sajid Khaliq, added: "Sometimes we have service vehicles; they can't even get through. On a few occasions, I've had my driveway blocked, and it's inconvenient. "You need to get to work and you're outside, just waiting for somebody to come and move their vehicle. It's ridiculous."The road should be used by residents rather than other people. They come and park here when there's room on the main road." Bradford Council has referred the petition to a local area committee before consideration by the decision-making the authority has recently increased its action on anti-social behaviour around driving including the expansion of a Public Space Protection year, the council pledged to step up action on illegal parking and dangerous driving after rising council says it employs 36 civil enforcement officers, with patrols during weekdays, evenings and weekends, and its School Streets schemes have been introduced in several parts of the district to ease congestion in residential pavement parking specifically, the council has said it is pressing the government for stronger national legislation. It also continues to work with West Yorkshire Police through its Operation Steerside to target anti-social driving."It was really quiet back then when I moved here," Ms Lotycka added."There was hardly any traffic. And now, it's just an absolute nightmare." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Ilkley Yorkshire Day flag display gains council approval
Dozens of flags featuring a Yorkshire phrase can be installed in a town centre for a celebration of the county after planners agreed to the Business Improvement District (BID) submitted an advertising proposal to fit up to 60 flags on the side of buildings on Skipton Road, Church Street, and Leeds Road ahead of Ilkley town centre hosting Yorkshire Day in early plans showed the flags would feature an image of the county's white rose emblem and the words "Na' Then".The application has been approved by Bradford Council. Documents submitted by Ilkley BID said: "The flags would carry a welcome message and promote Discover Ilkley as a resource for Ilkley information."According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, officers said the display would add an "element of visual interest" and would not significantly harm the character or appearance of the conservation consent only applied to the flags described above, the council said, and if the mounts for the items were unused they should be removed after six months. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Huge phone mast that would be 'out of character with village' is refused
A 22-METRE-high phone mast would cause a 'substantial degree of harm' to the views in an area of Bradford, planners have decided. A planning application for the huge mast and associated equipment on a site off Reva Skye Road in Clayton has been refused by Bradford Council. The application, from communications company Cornerstone, was for the installation of a 22.5m-high monopole with 12 antennas, four dishes, cabinets, and a 2.1m-high fence. It would be built on a plot of land next to a disused telephone exchange. The application had proved hugely controversial in the village, with 185 people writing to Bradford Council to urge them to refuse the works. Many objectors said the size of the mast was excessive and 'out of character with the village". Refusing the plans, officers said: 'The proposed development would result in a substantial degree of harm to the visual amenity, particularly the outlook from the row of terraces on Oakleigh Road, and would also be visible from multiple points within the wider street scene due to the height of 22.5m 'The monopole would not be sufficiently screened by virtue of scale and siting, would appear distinctly over-dominating within its surroundings.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Images show how planned £13m footbridge across busy road will look
NEW images show how a £13m footbridge over a busy road will look as the long-planned scheme finally takes a step forward. Proposals for a new crossing at the A629 between Steeton and Silsden date back years, but progress on the major project is finally being made. Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) recently held a public consultation on the project, which will see a combined pedestrian and cycle bridge built over the busy road. The feedback from the consultation has helped shape plans for the bridge, and new images showing what the crossing will look like have now been released. However, the costly project is only one part of wider plans, with a second phase to create new paths from the centres of Steeton and Silsden to the bridge currently unfunded. Reports written after the consultation say that more than 600 residents responded, with 85 per cent expressing support for the proposed bridge. There was also strong public backing for the proposed new crossing points and ramp linking the railway station to Station Road. One person responding to the consultation argued that an underpass or traffic light crossing would be better options. WYCA responded, saying: 'A bridge was considered the best option that aligned with the project's objectives as it achieved the separation required between traffic and those walking, wheeling or cycling to improve safety for all users. "Furthermore, there is less impact on traffic flow compared to a signalised crossing and there are greater safety and security benefits compared to an underpass. 'Flood risk would also be minimised when compared to an underpass.' One respondent said: 'I am concerned about unauthorised access by vehicles onto the bridge.' The Authority said it will now install additional bollards at either side of the bridge in response to these concerns. AN artist's impression of where the pedestrian/cycle route re-joins the highway (Image: WYCA) Another said the design should allow for horse riders to use the bridge. In response the authority says: 'The feasibility of accommodating equestrian users the bridge is being reviewed.' One respondent raised concerns over the huge cost of the bridge. In response, the Authority said: 'The bridge will be funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, subject to the development of a successful business case. 'The funding is separate from Council revenue funding for Council services and is ringfenced by central government for use only to deliver sustainable transport improvements and cannot be spent on council services.' The next stage of the project involves the submission of a planning application. Once planning is approved, the project team will move forward with the procurement of a construction partner. A full business case will be submitted to WYCA in early 2026. If the planning application and full business case are approved, the new bridge is expected to open in spring 2027.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Significant milestone' as market redevelopment continues
THE central feature of a new town centre market is currently being installed. The canopy set to transform Shipley Market Square is being erected as work to create a new look market continues. The work has seen the fixed stalls that dominated the Market Square removed and relocated to Cannon Mills in Bradford. Future markets will now be held using gazebos, which will be installed on the pedestrianised precinct in front of the shops on market days, with pop-up stalls being located underneath the new all-weather canopy in the centre of the square. The new square, which will also include more green spaces, rain gardens, and seating areas, will also host public events throughout the year. The scheme, which is being delivered by Bradford Council, has been funded by £3m acquired through the Government-funded Shipley Towns Fund. A further £1m has come from Streets for People funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, transport and planning, said: 'Enabling the markets and other events to take place regardless of the weather in an accessible space that people can enjoy is a key part of this project. So, the canopy going in is a significant milestone. 'We're using the same transformative design principles as we did in the centre of Bradford to ensure Shipley has an inclusive, welcoming centre which is practical and greener. "We want people to want to spend time here in a space which works well, that we can all be proud of.' Gill Thornton, chair of Shipley Towns Fund, added: 'It has been exciting to see this scheme progress so well. The teams are clearly all working very hard to make sure everything is going smoothly. "Seeing the preparations for the canopy to go up is very special - it is at the heart of what is a really ambitious scheme, which will benefit so many people in our community for years to come.' The next phase of work will see granite paving laid within the area around the canopy, together with the installation of new lighting columns and the completion of the rain gardens, and planting of soft landscaping. Contractors' cabins will be removed next month, with works to re-surface the car park area following. The current completion date is expected to be mid-September. Work is also underway on refurbishing and reopening the square's public toilets.
