A speed hump row has split an Oakworth street’s residents.

Questionnaires given to householders in Providence Crescent have come back with 50.46 per cent in favour and 49.54 per cent against the scheme first proposed in July 2012.

And although of the 109 forms returned, 55 were in favour and 54 against, Bradford Council officers are recommending Keighley Area Committee should scrap the whole idea when it meets today.

Historically, the initial plan met a total of 12 objections in October, including a woman who claimed she had such a bad back problem, any humps could leave her housebound and she would therefore suffer discrimination.

Another man feared the humps might cause pain to his wife, who has disc damage to her back.

But when it was proposed to shelve the scheme, campaigners in favour of calming measures came forward last November and fresh consultations took place.

Providence Crescent remained firmly divided on the issue this week.

Dad-of-three and professional childminder Andy Wade said he and wife, Helen, were for the physical measures.

“Parents running a bit late shoot up the road at school times to drop kids off at a snicket, which leads to Oakworth Primary – that’s one problem,” said Mr Wade, a resident for seven years.

“But people tear along at other times, too, and there’s a lot of children out playing in the street who shouldn’t be put at risk by fast cars.

“And to say humps damage cars is just nonsense; it’s a false argument. It could only happen if people drive over them too quickly.”

But wine importing executive Marco Di Rienzo said he was against the plan.

“My wife and I don’t think we need these things – the road is narrow enough with parked cars to slow the traffic down anyway; cars are slowed down naturally,” said Mr Di Rienzo, who has lived in the crescent for three years.

Young mum Charlotte Wood said: “People think it will affect their house prices, but, personally, I think they are a good thing.

“There are loads of children here, and when my son grows up, I want him to be able to play out safely. Cars go to fast along what is a residential road.”

IT lecturer Jackie Porritt said: “I can see both sides – humps would be a nuisance, but there are an awful lot of small children who play out on bikes.

“Do we want speed humps, or more supervised children?”

Keighley Area Committee meets from 6pm at Keighley Town Hall.