“TEETHING problems” experienced by motorists since congestion alleviation measures were completed in Keighley’s North Street were outlined to a senior district councillor.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for Planning, Regeneration and Transport, received feedback on the situation from councillors and other local representatives at a meeting of Keighley Public Transport Watch.

Among the issues identified during the meeting were the need for stricter enforcement of the 15-minute waiting time in the new parking bays in North Street, and a recommendation to provide “Use Both Lanes” signage for southbound traffic.

Cllr Ross-Shaw was advised that a visible one way sign at the Albert Street / North Street junction needs to be covered up until the new Traffic Order is in operation here, while older road markings – including white and yellow lining on the east side of North Street – should be tidied up to avoid confusion.

Representatives asked for the reinstatement of a yellow box for left hand turning from Bow Street to North Street, and a no left turn sign at the Bow St / North St junction to stop vehicles exiting Bow Street by using the right hand lane then making a U turn to the left.

And they requested the painting of a promised yellow box at the North Street / Cavendish Street junction, as well as a green filter light to operate for vehicles turning left from North Street to Cavendish Street when vehicles are also turning right from Cavendish Street to North Street.

John Dunne, operations data controller for Keighley Bus Company, said: “It’ll take about 12 months for people to get used to things. At the moment the box junction isn’t working, and traffic is just going straight through. People are forgetting the bus station is there.”

Graham Mitchell, of the Keighley Station Partnership, said: “It would be worthwhile having an on-site meeting where we can walk around and see things firsthand.”

Cllr Ross-Shaw replied that he would be taking all the points back to the council’s highways officers. “This is still the bedding in period, but it’s good for us to know what the issues are,” he said. “We will review them, maybe have a walk around the area, then come back to see what tweaks need to be made.

“What has been done so far isn’t the whole answer but to do more we’d need more funding. A potential gyratory system is still a long-term ambition.”

Stuart Hastings, boss of Metro-Go private hire, said: “I think the work that’s been done has made some improvement, but we are still having gridlock in Keighley at peak and off-peak times.

“Can we get an idea as to what will happen next and when that might be? You’ve said ‘long-term’, but when is that likely to happen? Bradford Council needs to spend some money in Keighley.”

Cllr Ross-Shaw argued that the district council does invest in Keighley, and cited the money recently spent on improving Cliffe Castle Park.