In accordance with Paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community Committee Procedure Rules, at the discretion of the Chair a period of up to 10 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Community Committee. This period of time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair. No member of the public shall speak for more than three minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.
Minutes:
On this occasion there were four members of the public in attendance at the meeting, three of whom wished to address the Community Committee.
In accordance with Paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community Committee Procedure Rules the Chair invited them to speak.
Mr Clive Woods spoke of his concerns in relation to the A65 specifically the congestion at Horsforth roundabout which led to queuing traffic. He informed the Committee that he had raised his concerns in November 2017 at a meeting where the Chief Officer for Highways had been attending. He was advised at that meeting that the new signalling system would improve the traffic flow. However, this had not been the case with standing traffic and buses still an issue on this section of road.
He has been made aware of a proposal for a new scheme which aims to improve traffic flow towards Rodley roundabout and includes widening to footpaths on this stretch of road for pedestrians.
Mr Woods was of the view that this proposed scheme would not improve matters but could make them worse. He requested that the Community Committee undertake a survey for the A65. He said that he had suffered years of frustration and now uses his car much more than the buses, as the buses are unreliable.
Cllr Taylor responded saying that the Members did not disagree with the issues raised on this section of road. However, Members had been contacted by Highways in relation to the new proposals. It was the aim that improvements would alleviate traffic from Horsforth to Rodley, thereby improving the flow of traffic round the roundabout.
The Chair invited Mr Woods to attend the next meeting of the Transport sub-group where officers from Highways would be in attendance to address the issues he had raised.
Dr David Ingham spoke to the Committee in relation to his concerns about double parking on New Road Side between the JCT roundabout and the crossroads which was causing a hazard.
Dr Ingham also raised concerns in relation to the usage of Apperley Lane which he said had increased six-fold. He had been requested by businesses in the area to look into this and to request a pedestrian crossing for this area.
The Community Committee advised Dr Ingham that he would need to email Highways with his request for a pedestrian crossing. Dr Ingham was also invited to the next Transport sub-group meeting.
Cllr Latty said that he would be supportive of a crossing in the area.
Mr Robert Turner addressed the Community Committee to raise his concerns in relation to Park Road. He said that the congestion on Park Road was getting worse by the month. Air quality measurements were showing dangerous pollution levels at around 40ppm of NO2 which is considered high for residential areas.
He said that getting out of junctions onto Park Road was getting difficult with the junction at Old Hollins Hill particularly perilous at times.
Mr Turner also raised the issue that the ‘Keep Clear’ road marking outside Morrisons had either been removed or worn away and that the traffic lights may need synchronising for better traffic flow. He said that the B6153 was a busy B road, maybe the busiest in Leeds.
Mr Turner also highlighted that the warning sign for Old Hollins Hill bend does not alert new motorists to the area of a side road.
The Chair advised Mr Turner that the ‘Keep Clear’ road markings were now back in place.
The Chair invited Mr Turner to attend the next meeting of the Transport sub-group.