Residents blast Leeds City Council’s traffic plan changes on Dewsbury Road, citing ‘tunnel vision’ and potential issues.
Dewsbury Road has ongoing traffic problems, and the council has tried changes before. However, residents now criticize the latest plans.
The BHCA says a traffic island will worsen things. It is planned for Tempest Road, Colwyn Road, and Dewsbury Road, and stops right turns. Neil Rhodes says this will create more issues, pointing to failed past projects.
Neil explained a similar change down Dewsbury Road. It stopped right turns on Trentham Street five years ago, and Tempest Road traffic incidents increased since that change.
Neil thinks traffic will increase on Tempest Road. Cars going along Dewsbury Road can easily turn there, and he thinks right turns increased into Tempest Road.
He believes the council just moves the problem. Cars may turn into Cross Flats Avenue instead, and they might use Cross Flats Grove too, which helps reach the top of Beeston Road.
Ninety-eight percent of 41 people disagreed, thinking it won’t make the junction safer. This was at a BHCA meeting on January 27th, and the group wanted a trial, but it wasn’t possible.
Now, Neil wants better speed management. The road has a 20mph limit, however, it lacks enough signs.
Many cars park near Tempest Road, especially at the shops. So, speed management matters more, and Neil wants traffic calming efforts, as the area is residential and has two schools.
Neil requests more signage to slow traffic. He wants people to notice the residential area.
Neil and the BHCA feel unheard. The council revealed plans a year ago, and the Highways Department met them in November.
Neil questions why Highways avoided discussion. He asked how to involve the community, with the goal of making roads safer.
He feels the council has “tunnel vision.” They don’t engage the community well, and they need to make roads safer for everyone.
A council spokesperson cited high collision rates. Eleven collisions occurred in five years, and six were serious. They will close the Dewsbury Road central reservation at Tempest and Colwyn Roads.
The goal is safer roads for everyone. The plan helps the Vision Zero strategy, aiming to eliminate fatal road injuries in Leeds. Similar closures elsewhere reduced collisions.