A MEETING is to be held in Ilkley to discuss the way people and traffic interact in the town centre.

Ilkley Town Council is hosting the event in March to hear the views of residents, local businesses and organisations on changes and improvements they would like to see.

On the agenda will be the Grove, the top of Brook Street, including the junction with Railway Road, the proposed 20mph zone in the town and ways to improve provision for cyclists.

All of these issues are under consideration in some form by Bradford Council, and the town council wants residents to air their views at an early stage.

Ilkley councillor Tom Franks said: “It is clear that there are a very wide range of views in the town on these issues, and some are very contentious.” Suggestions for the Grove range from widening it to make traffic free-flowing in both directions, to pedestrianising it in order to make it easier and safer to move about on foot or by bicycle.

Some residents want to see a light-controlled junction at the top of Brook Street, while others want to maintain and improve the existing zebra crossings. Safety improvements at the Railway Road crossing, 20mph zones and improved cycling provision are among the issues expected to be discussed.

The views aired at the meeting will form the basis of further surveys, leading to a submission to Bradford Council.

The council wants to encourage open discussion, without pre-conceptions of what may or may not be allowed by regulation or possible within financial constraints.

Ilkley Mayor Mark Stidworthy said: “Ilkley Town Council wants to be proactive in helping residents to develop the town in the way they would like it to be, and to build the support of the various organisations such as the BID, Climate Action Ilkley and Ilkley Civic Society which are active in the town. We hope that as many people as possible will attend.”

The town meeting will take place at 7pm on Monday, March 9 in All Saints Church.