Speeding on Pool Road continues to cause residents on Pool Road and the adjoining streets concern, so much so that I recently wrote to Becky James – Road Safety Manager from Highways & Transportation at Leeds City Council and to Police Sergeant Jane Franks from West Yorkshire Police to gather some information and to provide an update.

Becky is keen for local groups to utilise one of their three SID’s (Speed Indicator Device) and can provide training for groups and individuals in their use, please contact me in the first instance.

PS Franks (who is part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) based in Otley) kindly provided the following information;

• Pool Road is a current PACT (Partners & Communities Together) priority
• We deploy the SID on Pool Road on an ad-hoc basis
• Pool Road came off after a spell of high visibility policing but was then raised again and went back as a priority in September 2011
• During October,

the first week resulted in 25 vehicles travelling above the speed limit,

by the 2nd week this was down to 7

and by the 3rd week it was down to 2 respectively

in the final week the figures went up to 35

• As this was not a conclusive month we therefore decided to continue to monitor for November, again an inconclusive month with no pattern is merging.
• The issue seems to be where the limit goes from 40 mph to 30mph, the 50 mph stretch not raising any concerns.

Otley NPT continues to invest in the training of the Speed Gun – the next level up from SID deployment in which officers can issue Fixed Penalties or Summons depending on speed – and has recently trained a further two officers in its use.

As your local councillor I am keen that the community (the Police, residents & councillors alike) continue to monitor the situation. Please contact me if you wish to discuss this matter some more. You can stay up to date with Otley NPT Priorities here . It’s well worth a look

Lastly, if road safety is ‘your thing’ Otley & District Road Safety Committee is always looking for new members. The Chair is our very own Mayor (and Danefield Councillor) Nigel Francis. More details are available from him on 01943 463467