A TRAFFIC-free route between Yeadon and Guiseley aimed at creating safer access to schools could soon become a reality.

The scheme falls under the Safer Routes to School section of a batch of road safety improvement schemes due to be voted on by Leeds City Council's Executive Board yesterday. The initiatives could also include the creation of 20mph zones in residential areas, school travel plans and specific road safety measures for new schools.

The moves are all part of the city council's Local Transport Plan (LTP), which is focusing on improving road safety in neighbourhoods and encouraging drivers to slow down, especially near schools.

In Aireborough, the plans would see a traffic-free route for school pupils that uses the old railway line path on New Road. The route was popular with children at Westfield Junior (until it hit flooding problems) as it provided a safe way of travelling between the school and Dog Mill Pond, the Engine Fields and Yeadon without having to cross the busy A65.

Aireborough and Horsforth MP Paul Truswell welcomed the plan but warned it would need to be properly implemented.

He said: "It would be a good idea, given the volume of traffic on the A65 and the amount of school traffic.

"This path is already used to some degree, though its condition and problems with flooding and delays in dealing with this makes it less attractive at the moment. It is essential that is properly illuminated and maintained if it goes ahead."

Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said: "I asked that the route be extended to start/finish at the tarn and requested some other minor amendments. One of the concerns in Yeadon centred around the route at Henshaw/Brooklands.

"The 20mph limit outside schools is something I have requested in the past and am strongly in favour of, although I have not yet seen whether any of the schools in Otley and Yeadon will benefit from this.

"I am also in favour of pedestrian crossings near school and also ones that include bikes. I have been able to get two in Yeadon, one at either end of Rufford Avenue."

One of the initiatives introduced as part of the LTP is a programme of traffic-calmed 20mph zones. Eighteen residential areas, including 27 schools, are already benefiting from the speed restrictions and it is planned to create a further 18 new 20mph zones at schools by 2011.

The city council's Road Safety officers are working closely with schools on safety strategies, and recently supplied Rawdon Littlemoor Primary with large banners urging drivers to park more sensibly.

Councillor Andrew Carter, Executive Board member responsible for transport issues, said: "Providing safer roads for all users and reducing the number of people injured on the city's roads is high on the council's agenda.

"Safety in our communities and around schools is especially important. So we are working with local residents and schools on number of initiatives to raise awareness of road safety issues and encourage more people to leave the car at home and use alternative methods of transport for the journey to school."

Other projects being set up are more 'walking buses', the introduction of new cycle routes and new pedestrian crossings.

School travel advisors are also supporting schools to prepare their own travel plans to incorporate cycle parking stands and shelters, barrier rails and signs and playground waiting shelters for parents.