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A LONG-RUNNING campaign to install speed cameras on a major cross-border road described as a “race track” has been boosted by a new update.

Bradford Road (A647) is a busy dual carriageway on the boundary between Bradford and Leeds.

It runs from Thornbury to Dawsons Corner and connects places such as Calverley, Pudsey, Bramley, Farsley and Stanningley.

But it has been the cause of much mire for two councillors covering the Calverley and Farsley ward after the road was restructured.

Councillor Andrew Carter CBE, Leader of the Leeds Conservative Group, and Councillor Amanda Carter (Con) have been complaining about the road ever since the roundabout was removed at its junction with Woodhall Lane and Galloway Lane.

It was replaced with a traffic light system.

Cllr Andrew Carter claimed back in August last year that the road was being "used as a race track" and added that "it's extremely fortunate there hasn't been a fatality".

Concerns were also raised in the T&A last year over drivers reportedly hurtling along Bradford Road, at eye-watering speeds of more than 100mph.

They were said to be using Lamborghini and Ferrari supercars to race along the busy route.

Both councillors have campaigned heavily for fixed speed cameras to be installed between Dawson's Corner and Thornbury barracks over the years.

They were delighted to hear that Highways Officers will now take forward proposals that will ask the West Yorkshire Speed Reduction Partnership to review their criteria for fixed speed cameras.

Both councillors hope this will lead to them being installed on Bradford Road.

Cllr Andrew Carter said: “If the West Yorkshire Speed Reduction Partnership agree to this, it could mean that we can finally get the permanent speed cameras installed that we have been crying out for over the years.

“We believe it is the only way to stamp out the increasingly dangerous speeding and reckless driving that occurs on this stretch of road.

“These actions are long overdue, but at least we are now beginning to make progress.”

The police have also agreed to expand their use of mobile speed cameras on the road, to include night time operations - the times and dates of which will not be disclosed.

Cllr Amanda Carter said: “We have made it crystal clear to the Council’s Highways Department, and to the police that this situation has to be brought to a conclusion.

“Hopefully we are now seeing some light at the end of the long tunnel.”

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said it recognises local concerns about speeding traffic on Bradford Road.

They added: "There have been requests for speed cameras here in the past from councillors all along the corridor and the Member of Parliament for Leeds West and officers have reviewed these at length in line with the criteria established by the West Yorkshire Casualty Prevention Partnership, who control and operate the fixed and mobile camera enforcement across the five local authorities in the county."

This led to a mobile camera enforcement lay-by being developed in early 2019.

The council says it had a "positive impact on road safety", with two recorded injury collisions along the road during that year, both rated as "slight".

A second lay-by is also in the works.

The Leeds City Council spokesperson said: "Both of these sites have been developed through a positive and proactive relationship between Leeds City Council and the Partnership.

"The West Yorkshire Casualty Prevention Partnership is currently reviewing its criteria for fixed and mobile cameras, and Leeds City Council will provide input into this process as part of its role within the Partnership.

"We will then be able to review the A647 Bradford Road, and the many other requests for other roads in the city, against any new criteria and make recommendations for appropriate enforcement where the evidence shows that this is the right course of action.

"In the meantime the additional enforcement site on the A647 Bradford Road will complement and expand on the successful work towards improving road safety which has taken place in recent months."