Civic leaders in Oakworth are divided over plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit in parts of the village.

Keighley Area Committee is expected to approve the scheme and overrule an objection made by Bradford Councillor Russell Brown, (Con, Worth Valley) when it meets on Thursday.

If approved, the lower speed limit would stretch from Mill Lane and along Keighley Road to its junction with Elizabeth Street. Dockroyd Lane, Park Avenue, Station Road, Victoria Road, Heritage Way, Manor Park and parts of Providence Lane would also be affected.

The scheme has been welcomed by Keighley town councillors, who say it will help keep pedestrians safe.

But Coun Brown has branded the plan a waste of time and money.

“I have spent a lot of time going round the village and speaking to people, but I have only found one person in favour of a 20mph speed limit,” he said.

“Oakworth already has ten or 12 traffic calming measures in the area of the proposed limit. None of these have worked, so putting signs up isn’t going to do anything if there aren’t the resources to police it.”

Councillor Graham Mitchell, Oakworth ward representative for Keighley Town Council said the community had been asking for a reduced speed limit for five years and the proposals had support from the police and Oakworth Primary School.