BRADFORD Council says it is looking into reducing the speed limit on a busy Bingley road after pressure from campaigners.

A petition calling for an extension to the 30mph zone on Bradford Road, to cover a stretch where there is currently a 40mph limit, was signed by more than 300 residents.

The call has also received the backing of the head teacher at Beckfoot School, whose grounds border the road.

There were 18 reported accidents on the stretch of Bradford Road between 2005 and 2014, according to figures compiled by Bingley Green Party.

A public consultation on the speed limit reduction plan was announced at Bingley Town Council’s meeting on Tuesday.

Under the proposals, the speed limit will be reduced from 40mph to 30mph from Oak Avenue to Cottingley Drive.

The plan also includes a part-time advisory 20mph zone outside Beckfoot School, to be operational at the start and end of the school day.

But Simon D’Vali, Bradford Council’s principal highway engineer, said speed cameras were not being proposed.

Mr D’Vali told the town council’s meeting the scheme would go out to consultation soon.

Town councillors were advised that unless objections were received, the new speed limits could be in operation by the end of April.

Matt Edwards, of Bradford Green Party, who set up the initial petition, welcomed the Council’s announcement.

He said: “This is great news for the people of Bingley.

“More than 300 local residents have signed our petition for new traffic measures on Bradford Road and I am pleased that the hard work that Bradford Green Party have put in to this campaign has paid off.

“The next steps will be to ensure that West Yorkshire Police enforce the new speed limit and appropriate action is taken against drivers who drive dangerously.”

Ros Dawson, chairman of Bingley Town Council, said: “The council looks forward to receiving full details of the new proposals so that it can make considered comment.”

A group of Year Eight students from Beckfoot School took part in a West Yorkshire Police Speedwatch scheme on Bradford Road last year.

They checked the speed of traffic on the road with speed guns and raised awareness of poor driving standards outside the school each day.

Two drivers were warned over speeding offences and four drivers were stopped and advised on safety.

Tuesday’s meeting was also told that the Council will introduce traffic-calming, yellow lines and a part-time advisory 20mph zone outside Bingley Grammar School, in Keighley Road, and raise the height of two existing pedestrian crossings.