More changes planned for one of Bradford’s most 'confusing' junctions

Highways officers have been urged to go back to the drawing board and develop new plans for one of Bradford’s most “confusing” junctions.

Bradford Council is planning to install a pedestrian crossing on Thornton Road, near to the junction with Listerhills Road.

To prevent traffic flow issues after the lights are installed, highways officers proposed a number of traffic orders, and a public consultation on these orders was held earlier this year.

The changes would see

• Double yellow lines introduced on both sides of a small stretch of Listerhills Road.
• No left turn from the main section of Listerhills Road on to Thornton Road
• No left turn from Lower Grattan Road on to Thornton Road
• Traffic heading into the city centre on Thornton Road will only be able to go ahead only, with no left or right turns on to the main section of Listerhills Road or Lower Grattan Road. To get onto Listerhills Road, drivers would have to use a smaller stretch of road on the other side of the “Listerhills Triangle.”
• Double yellow lines on a stretch of Thornton Road – next to a bus shelter.

After concerns from a local business, the council decided to drop the no left turn from Lower Grattan Road from the proposals.

The revised scheme went before the Bradford West Area Committee on Wednesday (Jul 22), where members were asked to approve the works.

But the committee instead voted for highways officers to make further changes to the scheme before it progresses.

These changes could cost the authority thousands of pounds.

Councillor Carol Thirkill said the junction was one of the most difficult in the city for pedestrians to cross, with traffic coming from four directions and no dedicated crossing area.

She said: “Pedestrians just stand there forever, not knowing what to do.”

But other councillors questioned some of measures, such as double yellows on both sides of the narrow stretch of Listerhills Road.

Asked why the work was being done, Highways Engineer Andrew Smith said: “This site has been on our radar for a long, long time.”

Councillors questioned the impact of the measures on nearby businesses. Coun Thirkill said: “We’re talking about pedestrian safety. Surely these businesses value the safety of the people who use their businesses.”

Coun Nazam Azam said: “Something needs to happen at this junction, what that something looks like I’m not sure.”

Coun Melanie Milnes said: “As councillors we are not here to say what we do and don’t want, we’re here to listen to the experts.”

Members voted to ask officers to look at the scheme again, and come back to the committee with any new proposed traffic orders.

They were told this could have a financial impact, as it would likely cost the authority several thousands of pounds to re-consult with the public and businesses in the area.