THE Nation-wide lockdown is being exploited by anti-social drivers, who are using quiet rural roads as their own racetracks.

This was a concern raised by a Haworth Councillor during the first meeting of Bradford Council’s Executive since lockdown began.

The meeting, held remotely on Thursday, had just one item on the agenda - the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on Bradford.

However, with that issue currently dominating every aspect of life, the discussion included issues ranging from business support to fly tipping.

During the meeting opposition Councillors were invited to ask questions, when Worth Valley Councillor Rebecca Poulsen raised the issue of danger driving.

Cllr Poulsen (Cons) had previously said that anti-social driving, particularly by riders of off road vehicles, was one of the main issued raised with her by constituents since lockdown began.

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Despite guidelines saying only essential travel should be allowed, there have been numerous news stories of irresponsible drivers making the most of quiet roads.

At Thursday’s meeting Cllr Poulsen said: “There are an increasing number of people who are using quiet roads as an excuse for anti-social driving. The roads are like a race track at times, and there are lots of reports of quads and motorbikes being driven dangerously.”

Steve Hartley, Strategic Director for Place, said: “Anecdotally we are hearing of people speeding in certain areas.

“We are working to identify any hot spots where we or the police will have to step up enforcement within the resources available.

“Operation Steerside continues to patrol and enforce where they can.

“We’ve been in touch with local Councillors as well as Parish Councillors so they can let us know of any such activity in the more rural areas. Any evidence people can give us of what is going on we’re more than happy to take.”

Before lockdown, the Council was in the process of reducing the speed limits of roads in town and village centres, and near schools. Many of these changes would see 30mph zones reduced to 20mph zones, similar to changes to speed limits made in Bradford city centre last year.

Mr Hartley added: “There is the potential to accelerate the programme of speed limit reductions. We might not have looked at this immediately, but now we may move forward with the speed limit reductions at a faster pace.”

In recent weeks there have been increased reports of anti-social driving and the use of off road bikes in and around Haworth.

Cllr Poulsen said off road bikers on Black Moor Road had caused particular concern.

Operation Steerside, a West Yorkshire Police operation set up specifically to tackle danger driving in the Bradford District, had recently posted on social media to say there had been a “marked increase in the number of unlawful/nuisance off-road calls over the last few weeks.”

In response they have been increasing the number of off road patrols in rural areas. And the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team had recently said: “it has been noticed that with roads being quieter, speed is on the increase.”