By John Baron
Calverley residents are being asked for their views over proposals to tackle increasing problems with rat running through the village.
Highways chiefs and councillors have devised a couple of trial options which they hope could help tackle the problems. These include:
- Closure of St Stephen’s Road, at the junction with Carr Hill Avenue, which would block off the most common rat run from both directions
- A one-way section on St Stephen’s Road which would allow more options for local access, but still reduce the amount of speeding and rat-running traffic.
A letter in the process of being sent to residents by principal highway engineer Chris Way added: “Both these options would reduce the likelihood of drivers travelling through the village to avoid traffic on Woodhall Road/Carr Road.
“At this stage I am only asking for feedback on these suggestions – no works are formally
planned and nothing will take place without further consultation.”
Any approved option would be initially introduced as a trial for a period of up to 18 months.
Councillors Peter Carlill and Craig Timmins (Lab, Calverley and Farsley) support the proposals. They told WLD: “This issue has been going on far too long, and it’s one we are determined to come up with a solution to.
“A previous consultation some years ago came up with the option of the access only restrictions, unfortunately these have proven to be simply unenforceable and aren’t working, and since then the issue only seems to have got worse.
“Last year we held a number of street surgeries to talk to people in the Upper Carr Lane, Carr Hill Drive, Crowther Avenue, St Stephens Road, Ravenscliffe Road areas. Following their feedback we pushed for agreement from the highways department to draw up a consultation for two potential options – either a closure or one-way section of St Stephen’s Road.
“We do completely appreciate that any closure would have inconveniences, could have consequences for other areas, and that any proposals would not fully solve the issues. We believe either of these could be put in place as a trial to see how they work, and allow them to be adapted or removed if needs be.
“We would ask all residents in the affected areas to respond with their comments, and we will continue working to finally get some action on solving this problem.”
Cllr Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) said problems with rat running were ‘getting worse’.
He said: “It has been a plague on parts of Calverley for many years. We have surveyed residents over those years, and never really got a definitive view.
“However the situation is getting worse, which, I also have to say, is the same in other parts of the ward as well.
“It is most important that residents respond to the questionnaire, giving their views on the two options the Council are offering but also any suggestions they may have. My concern is that there will be downsides to the people of Calverley no matter what is finally agreed upon, which is why residents’ views are so important.
“Whatever the Highways department put in place will initially be a trial and I have asked for assurances that if it doesn’t work other solutions will be tried. All that said, this rat running is a scourge and we need to find ways of getting it under control and hopefully stopping it.”
People can have their say on the proposals by e-mailing christopher.way@leeds.gov.uk with their comments.
Sponsored content
