(Image: submitted)
CHILDREN and residents living near Ilkley's Railway Road are stepping up their campaign for improved road safety, including a zebra crossing and speed warning signs.
The campaign follows a collision on Railway Road on August 12 and has been backed by Ilkley and Addingham ward councillor Richard Downey.
Cllr Downey recently met with local residents, including José Pina-Sánchez, who had previously highlighted wider road-safety issues on the busy route and had helped galvanise community action.
At the centre of the campaign is a request for a zebra crossing to provide a safe, clearly marked place for pedestrians to cross, particularly those travelling to and from Ilkley railway station and the pedestrian bridge.
The issue is of particular concern for families because Railway Road forms part of the daily walking route to Ilkley Grammar School.
Cllr Downey praised local children for their role in the campaign, saying they had helped take a petition door-to-door, explaining the proposal and gathering signatures from neighbours and residents on surrounding streets.
The petition calls on Bradford Council and Ilkley Town Council to support the installation of a zebra crossing as the main measure to improve pedestrian safety. Campaigners are also seeking a vehicle-activated speed indicator sign to encourage motorists to slow down.
Cllr Downey said: "The Council’s Highways department has recently confirmed to me that action will be taken to improve pedestrian safety on Railway Road if funding can be secured.
"Residents from the Railway Road area are now ready to present their petition and proposals to the November meeting of Ilkley Town Council, in the hope of securing funding for these much-needed safety improvements.
"It is wonderful to see this next generation learning about local democracy and taking action to improve their community."