YOU could forgive some motorists for treating with scepticism the latest proposals to improve traffic flows in Keighley town centre.

Many schemes have been put forward before, but – for one reason or another – have failed to materialise.

This time, more than on previous occasions, there is room for optimism.

Certainly, the shorter-term measures put forward – assuming they are approved next week – will be relatively simple and cheap to implement.

A one-way system in Albert Street, the redesigning of yellow-box junctions and better co-ordination and linking of traffic light signals could all be accomplished fairly quickly.

The widening of North Street and a one-way gyratory system are slightly more involved – and yes, those are the projects which potentially will have the greater impact.

Everyone agrees that Keighley's peak-time congestion is a nightmare and that something needs to be done.

But there are always going to be differing opinions on how that should be achieved.

Some advocate a full-blown by-pass, but in reality – considering the cost and environmental implications – that's unlikely to happen.

Whatever route is taken by highways bosses to keep Keighley's traffic on the move, it must be properly thought-out and form part of a bigger picture.

The last thing we want is for a problem in one part of town to be shunted a few hundred yards down the road to another.