A councillor has slammed the council over its failure to take action against anti-social driving on a road, despite CCTV cameras being in place.
Holme Wood and Bierley ward Councillor Matt Edwards (Greens) raised the issue at Wednesday's council meeting, where he was told no enforcement notices or other action had been taken on Tong Lane during the last 24 months.
In response, the council said officers checked footage supplied by residents but could not identify the vehicles allegedly breaching the district-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
Councillor Ian Walker (Wyke, Reform UK), the council's executive member for neighbourhoods and communities, said: "Officers were unable to conclusively link excessive engine revving or other alleged contraventions to individual vehicles, meaning that enforcement action could not be undertaken.
Cllr Ian Walker (Image: LDRS)
"Where there is clear and robust evidence of PSPO breaches, appropriate enforcement action will certainly be taken but to progress, any enforcement activity must have sufficient evidence."
What was said at the meeting?
The PSPO allows the council to fine drivers for street racing, excessive engine revving and dangerous driving stunts.
At the meeting, Cllr Edwards said the council's confirmation that the camera was operational meant that "not a single enforcement notice has been issued for anti-social vehicle use along Tong Lane in the two years that camera's been there".
He added: "That's despite the camera, which we now know works.
"It's despite the substantial body of evidence that residents in the area have supplied to the council, which appears not to have been acted on."
Calls for urgent enforcement review
Mr Edwards has called for an urgent review of enforcement on both Tong Lane and Dick Lane - where he says residents have also raised concerns about anti-social driving.
He contrasted Tong Lane with Euroway Trading Estate, where the council issued more than £10,000 in fines for illegal street racing over two years.
The council said enforcement at Euroway had been successful because officers were able to gather clear evidence showing identifiable vehicles committing PSPO breaches.
Cllr Walker said the authority had recently met local residents to discuss concerns and that a multi-agency day of action around Dick Lane was planned in the coming weeks to gather further evidence.
He added: "Bradford Council remains committed to addressing vehicle-related nuisance around Tong Lane, Dick Lane and throughout the district.
"However, our resources are limited; we do not have the capacity to constantly monitor CCTV cameras for potential criminal, anti-social behaviour, or poor driving standards."