POOL-IN-WHARFEDALE residents are being urged to complete a 'last chance' road safety survey.

Leeds City Council is asking villagers to comment on three options that could improve safety on Old Pool Bank and its junctions with the A660 Leeds Road.

The area, especially at Bar House corner where the lower section of the road joins the A660, has been the scene of frequent near-misses and road-rage incidents.

The city council's questionnaire includes a proposal to to turn the current, 60mph lower Old Pool Bank into a one-way route.

Old Pool Bank Road Safety Group* has welcomed the survey but fears nothing may come of it unless many residents respond.

In a letter attached to the questionnaire, a Highways officer also refers to the council agreeing to re-consult on the issue 'one last time'.

Group spokeswoman Kathie Griffiths said: "It feels like a token gesture from Highways and that the outcome will be based purely on the numbers who respond.

"That’s why we are asking everyone to take the time and effort to fill in the form, give us their support and get it back to the council.

"We need to secure the majority and for people to accept we are a community, not a corridor.

"There are near-misses on a daily basis and road rage, which people living nearby have all seen escalate at the junction near the bend.

"It’s ludicrous it is 60mph on the old lower road up the bank to the junction, it should be 30mph.

"The safety issue keeps coming back to the council because the risks are still here and getting worse.

"People are going to have to tick their boxes of choice, put their coats on and post the questionnaires back - it’s over to people power now."

Villagers are being asked to take the forms to the Post Office, on Main Street, or post them through the letter box at the upper Old Pool Bank Village Hall.

Councillors Barry and Caroline Anderson (both Con, Adel & Wharfedale) are also offering to collect any for residents with mobility problems.

Cllr Barry Anderson said: "We are working with the parish council and with the road safety group to try to get a solution to the problems with this junction.

"Whatever solution is found, it needs to meet the needs of the residents in upper and lower Old Pool Bank and in the village of Pool."

Cllr Caroline Anderson added: "We really want to ensure that as many residents as possible take part and let the council know what they think.

"This is the first consultation in what may be a long campaign to find a solution."

MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West), meanwhile, is hoping for swift action.

He said: “Although I fully understand the need for Leeds to consult with residents we need to move quickly.

"The road junctions in Old Pool Bank are very dangerous - this was clear during the site visit from myself, Councillor Barry Anderson and local residents where we witnessed multiple near misses."

*The group was formed after 18 year old local resident Kate Whalley died after being hit by a car on the A660 Leeds Road, near the junction with Old Pool Bank, in June.

It is also campaigning for a speed camera to be installed on the A660 and for the existing 40mph limit along Leeds Road, past Cragg View, to be reduced to 30mph.