A BRADFORD MP has called on Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Police to take greater action over the scourge of nuisance drivers on the district’s residential roads.

Imran Hussain, Labour MP for Bradford East, visited Lichfield Mount, Westfield Lane and Gilpin Street to discuss concerns around the problem on their streets.

It follows his recent column in the Telegraph & Argus where he called for more resources to be committed by West Yorkshire Police to tackle dangerous driving across the district and for a ban on nuisance vehicles being misused by their drivers. It also comes amid the news earlier this week that legislation to introduce life sentences for drivers who kill while speeding, racing or using mobile phones will be brought in next year.

Mr Hussain said: "“Nuisance and dangerous driving, particularly speeding on residential roads used as cut-throughs to avoid traffic lights and busy junctions, is blighting the lives of many of my constituents who have had to put up with drivers using their streets as racetracks for far too long, and it is time their concerns are taken seriously. Whilst West Yorkshire Police must catch and prosecute these drivers, Bradford Council also has a clear role to play in installing better traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, bollards and one-way restrictions to stop our roads being used as speedways and to stop nuisance vehicles driving between and behind homes.

“I’ve therefore called on the Council to assess each of these sites in consultation with residents and West Yorkshire Police for what measures can be put in place to prevent nuisance and dangerous driving, and called on both the Council and the police to take much greater action in addressing this problem. I also know that this is a much bigger problem than in these three areas and one that stretches across Bradford, and so I want to urge anyone who has concerns around dangerous and nuisance driving on their road to reach out and get in touch so that I can work with them to get these issues resolved and make our streets safer.”

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “Road safety is a top priority in the Bradford district and we are constantly looking at ways to prevent dangerous driving and ensure the safety of our residents. We will assess the concerns raised by Imran Hussain MP to establish if any engineering or other measures such as a 20mph zone, could be put in place to address the issues in the areas highlighted. Any proposals would be subject to area committee funding being agreed.

"We continue to support and work with colleagues in a multi agency approach to dangerous driving through Operation Steerside and the introduction of the first national whole district Public Space Protection Order for anti-social use of motor vehicles.

"Our message is clear - anyone who drives at excessive speed, uses a mobile device whilst driving, drives in an anti-social, careless or dangerous manner is highly likely to either have their vehicle seized, be fined, or receive penalty points. We would urge anyone who has information on dangerous driving in their area, or footage to contact the police via 101.”

West Yorkshire Police was also approached for comment.