HARDEN has a serious problem with speeding drivers, according to the village’s parish council.

The reaction came after a man was taken to hospital with serious leg and chest injuries following a crash in the village on February 17.

The 33-year-old, of Bradford, was driving a black Volkswagen Golf in Hill End Lane when it was in a collision with a red Skoda Fabia near the junction with Leech Lane at about 9.50pm. He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary.

The badly-damaged Golf came to rest against a sign that says ‘Harden Please Drive Carefully’ on it.

Harden Parish Council vice-chairman, Councillor Matthew Gore, said of speeding in the village: “It is an issue. We are contacting police about it to see if they can do speed checks.”

He added: “Speeding needs to be tackled in Harden. It is from all directions. We have got Bradford Council involved with their speed checks.”

Bingley Rural ward councillor, Michael Ellis, said: “It looks like some smash, looking at the picture. There are not many houses, to be fair, but residents down there have indicated to me there is an awful lot of speeding there.

“I travel down there fairly regularly and I can confirm there is speeding.”

Cllr Ellis said that highways officers from Bradford Council had recently carried out speed assessments in the village, adding: “Some of the speeds were far greater than what they should be. We will be in discussion with officers at our next meeting. It is on the agenda. Concerns have been raised by members of the public and parish councillors.

Cllr Simon Cooke said: “You do feel for the people involved, [in the latest accident] but one of the things I keep having a conversation about is whether or not there is a cause for speed cameras.”

Police closed Hill End Lane at 11.20pm last Tuesday, between its junctions with Ryecroft Road and Keighley Road. It was re-opened at about 2.40am the next morning. Enquiries continue.