BURNING issues in Silsden and Steeton came under the spotlight at a meeting called by Keighley MP John Grogan.

Mr Grogan gathered together local councillors and a host of organisations to discuss a masterplan for the villages.

He wanted to generate solutions to challenges thrown up by increasing housing development across the Aire Valley in Craven Ward.

Mr Grogan said a wide range of traffic and planning issues were discussed by representatives from the council and other public agencies.

He said it was confirmed that the feasibility study would go ahead into whether a footbridge could be built over the Aire Valley trunk road, with an initial report expected in the autumn.

He said: "West Yorkshire Combined Authority are finalising plans for more car parking spaces at Silsden-Steeton railway station which could involve more than one deck, with details to be announced soon. 

"Airedale Hospital is developing plans for a new car park on the site of the old nurses' building which would provide up to 600 additional parking spaces."

Mr Grogan said Bradford Council was taking action to address congestion at the Steeton Top junction, including improvements to the existing traffic signals this year.

He added: "The pedestrian crossing, which currently operates independently of the lights, will be retimed to sequence with the lights. The council will also assess the possibility of installing traffic lights at the hospital entrance."

Mr Grogan said his staff would continue to encourage landowners to agree the line of a footpath from the hospital to the railway station.