CULLINGWORTH councillors have demanded action to cut speeds on main roads into the village.

The village council has called for Bradford Council to make speed humps and a 20mph zone priorities for spending on its Safer Roads budget.

Members are dismayed that Bradford recognises the village faces speeding dangers but will not yet approve money to tackle the problems.

The village council put its strong views on record after Shipley Area Committee, part of Bradford Council, refused a request for traffic calming and speed cameras in Cullingworth.

The request, accompanied by a residents’ petition, highlighted dangers in areas including the B6144 Haworth Road, the mini-roundabout next to the Fleece pub, and several side roads off Cullingworth Road.

Committee members agreed only to repaint worn road markings on the mini-roundabout, but put all other requests on a list of possible road safety schemes for future years.

This list, which is reassessed annually by Bradford highways officers and the area committee, contains dozens of requested schemes across the district constituency, and many remain on it for years.

The cash-strapped council is forced to concentrate on a small number of schemes which can be shown to have the most effect on reducing KSI (killed or serious injury) accidents.

Cullingworth Village Council were particularly concerned about the B6144 Haworth Road/Cullingworth Road, which runs through Cullingworth between the Flappit and Hewenden/Harecroft.

They were extremely disappointed that Bradford’s recommendation was “so vague as to be almost meaningless” in treating this stretch as a priority.

They said: “Vehicles have a tendency to exceed the legal speed limit. Bradford Council’s own report and analysis has identified this as being of particular concern.

“It is surprising to learn that the lack of Killed and Serious Injury cases on the stretch of road would appear to place it in a lower category of importance.

“The adage of ‘an accident waiting to happen’ seems to fit this scenario perfectly. Surely preventative measures will be the best option?”

Cllr Mike Ellis, who represents Cullingworth on Bradford Council, this week offered hope to the village council.

He said he and his two fellow Bingley Rural ward councillors recognised the need for speed-reduction work, particularly on the approach to Cullingworth from the Flappit.

He said: "That's the scheme we have prioritised and requested for the area committee to include in the budget for the next financial year."