TRAFFIC issues were on the agenda when Silsden Town Council played host to senior Bradford Council roads officer Simon D’Vali.

The ‘brains trust’ spoke about problems such as congestion caused by roadworks, speeding on Skipton Road, and the speed of traffic leaving the town centre.

Mr D’Vali, the district’s principal highway s safety engineer, attended the special meeting following his walkabout in the town with town and district councillor Rebecca Whitaker.

Cllr Whitaker said Mr D’Vali was able to update councillors on previously-raised issues, and answer further questions on the highways concerns.

She said: “It was a long meeting and many issues were discussed. One of the main concerns was the continued congestion in the town centre, in particular because of the never-ending roadworks.

“There were safety concerns regarding the speeding of vehicles once they have travelled through the clogged-up town centre. These concerns extended to other roads in the town too. Speeding on Skipton Road was highlighted.”

Cllr Whitaker said everyone agreed traffic problems would greatly increase when a planned new primary school was built on the north-east side of Silsden. She added: “Bradford Council’s own data predicts that many more parents will use their cars to transport their children to the proposed school at the top of the town.”

Cllr Whitaker said Mr D’Vali and councillors put forward many solutions to the Silsden’s traffic problems, including making main routes 20mph zones, speed cameras, better parking provision, improved road markings, and banning heavy goods vehicles.

After the meeting Mr D’Vali took another walk around town to look at parking issues raised at the meeting. Cllr Rebecca Whitaker said she was glad she had initiated the meeting, which was long overdue.

She added: “I thank Mr D’Vali for coming along and look forward to working with him in the future to try to find some solutions to the on-going highway issues in Silsden.

“A plan for the highway infrastructure needs to be now considered as a priority, preferably before any more housing development and the new school are built.”

Cllr Adrian Naylor, who is also a town and district councillor, agreed that the “very good meeting” had proved useful for the councillors.

He said: “The town council were able to voice their concerns and explore potential future improvements regarding traffic and highways matters.

“This included the speed of traffic through the town centre of Silsden together with possible highways improvements.”

Cllr Naylor said councillors learned from Mr D’Vali which kinds of improvement projects they should pursue, with the best chance of receiving Bradford Council approval.

Cllr Whitaker recently worked with Mr D’Vali to put up yellow ‘Slow Down’ signs on lampposts in Bolton Road, Kirkgate and Keighley Road.

She accepted the signs were not as ideal as formal road signs, but said they had received a positive response from residents.

Cllr Whitaker added: “I would like to thank all the residents and businesses who have been in touch with me. All your emails and comments have been sent on to Mr D’Vali.

“More of these yellow signs have been ordered and will soon be appearing on the entrances into the town. The yellow signs our an interim measure until more permanent solutions can be found.”