Reducing the speed limit on the A65 between Otley and Ilkley would improve safety on a notorious accident black-spot, say local councillors.

Wharfedale ward Conservative councillors Bob Felstead and Gerry Barker have been working with Bradford Council’s highways team for the past 18 months to come up with safety measures on the bypass.

Bradford Council highways officers are looking at the proposals which include reducing the speed limits on the A65.

According to the councillors, the speed limit changes proposed would apply from the Otley border to the roundabout at the former Generous Pioneer and along the Manor Park bends. The change is being requested following resident complaints, and to address the road traffic impact that new housing developments bring with them, they said.

In a joint statement released by Cllrs Felstead and Barker, they said: “The reduction in speed on the A65 Burley bypass has been requested because the right turn along the bypass (travelling Otley to Ilkley direction) has had to remain in place primarily to allow emergency service access to Greenholme Mills.

“It is also needed to allow resident access to the new housing development. In addition, traffic will be turning onto the bypass, from Greenholme Mills, in the Otley direction.”

Cllrs Bob Felstead and Gerry Barker had also considered speed limit changes needed to accommodate a further two access points; a lefthand turn onto the A65, plus a new roundabout, for the Sun Lane development, along the Manor Park bends area of the A65.

They added: “We recommended a reduction in speed limit along this notorious ‘black spot’ section of highway to 30mph to address road safety issues, like those at Greenholme Mills.

“Proposals for a new McDonald’s restaurant at the former site of the Kashmiri Aroma will introduce yet more traffic filtering onto the A65, adding further to road safety concerns.”

Cllr Bob Felstead said he will be responding to the McDonald’s planning application to raise road safety concerns.

Throughout ongoing discussions, Cllrs Bob Felstead and Gerry Barker have supported, and will continue to support the implementation of speed reductions along both stretches of the A65, they said.

Councillor Bob Felstead added: “We think that given all the new development taking place in Burley in Wharfedale, addressing road safety concerns should be a high priority for Bradford Council. I hope that Bradford Council’s Highways team will introduce change.”