By John Baron
A petition is calling for more traffic calming measures to tackle speeding drivers on two Armley roads.
Hall Lane and Green Lane in Armley have been described as a ‘race track’ by some residents, with claims some drivers have been speeding at 50-60mph in a 20mph zone.
Local resident and petition creator Georgia Lowry told WLD there are three primary schools in the area – Castleton, Holy Family and St Bartholomew’s, along with a nursery, meaning families crossing the roads at peak times are ‘taking their lives into their own hands’ due to speeding traffic.
She is calling on Leeds City Council to enforce the 20mph speed limit on Green Lane and Hall Lane by introducing chicanes or speed cameras.
The petition added: “The current state is untenable and demands swift and decisive action to ensure the safety of our community. We propose the installation of speed enforcement cameras and the construction of chicanes to effectively reduce vehicle speeds.
“These measures are vital not only to enforce the speed limit but also to instill a culture of safety and responsibility among drivers passing through our neighbourhood.
“Our children deserve to walk to school without fear of speeding cars – local residents should not be anxious about their safety in their own front yards. It’s time for our local authorities to acknowledge this threat and take meaningful action.”
Local councillors
Armley Councillor Andy Parnham (Lab) said: “Petitions in general can be a good way to campaign for change and bring issues to the attention of residents and local representatives, such as ward councillors, who are keen to help residents, especially with issues like road safety.
“Road safety is very important to me, and I continue to respond to residents’ concerns and have improved road safety around both Whingate Primary and Christ Church Primary Schools.
“I usually start by arranging an onsite visit with officers from Leeds City Council’s Highways team who can investigate issues, discuss concerns with residents, and work on available options, such as speed bumps, chicanes etc.
“I’d be delighted to meet the petitioner and residents and together seek a solution that improves road safety for all.”
Armley Cllr Lou Cunningham (Green) said: “I will fully support residents in their push for further traffic monitoring on these roads so that speed checks can be undertaken and consideration given to any traffic calming measures that are necessary.
“One of my reservations around the partial pedestrianisation of Armley Town Street was that more traffic would be pushed to surrounding ‘rat runs’ such as Hall Lane and Green Lane.
“Leeds has committed to the Vision Zero strategy to reduce road danger in our region and it is important that residents in Armley and New Wortley feel that their community voice is heard and their local knowledge acted upon.”
Council response
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “We are proud of the work we do to reduce traffic risk and encourage safer behaviour from road users, with our Leeds Vision Zero 2040 Strategy being designed to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries caused by collisions.
“No concerns have been raised directly with us – by residents, ward members or other stakeholders – in recent months regarding driver behaviour on Green Lane and Hall Lane.
“Our data shows that the two roads have a comparatively good injury collision record versus other sites across the city, with no speed-related injury collisions occurring there in the last three years.
“Requests to the council for speed cameras to be deployed at a particular site are assessed against criteria set by the West Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership (WYSCP). If they are met, we can recommend the site to the WYSCP as one that would benefit from camera enforcement activity.
“Having been made aware of local concerns via Ms Lowry’s petition, we will now assess Green Lane and Hall Lane against these criteria. We will also be pleased to review the petition and any requests made in it once it is submitted to us.”
The 20mph speed limits on Green Lane and Hall Lane were introduced around 20 years ago. Traffic calming ‘speed cushions’ were installed at the same time and remain in place.
The petition, which launched earlier this week and has more than 80 signatures, can be found here.
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