Cllr Stoddart-Scott, as a resident on Creskeld Lane, has been handling a number of complaints from residents relating to the knock on effects of the closure of the A659 in Pool for the Yorkshire Water main replacement works.
He recently had a discussion with a representative of LCC’s Highways Services team, and raise a number of points, and account of which is below. He will continue to monitor the situation and follow up actions with LCC.
Firstly this is a very challenging scheme and Highways Services have been in regular contact with the Yorkshire Water contractors since the closure was implemented
The situation remains under constant review with changes being made as the scheme progresses. We have noticed that situation has improved considerably since the start of the scheme as the majority of motorists now taking notice of the closure signage and following the diversion into North Yorks /Panal /Huby/Weeton/Pool Bridge.
It’s important that Yorkshire Water get these sections of work competed before the schools open up again
Can any more could be done to prevent people entering the A659 from the A61 Harewood Bank/Bridge. Illuminated signs or a traffic cone cwidth restriction? Could there be more signs form the A61 towards Arthington confirming the road closure and pointing out places for traffic to turn around?
There are already signs in place on the A61 on Harewood bank, Harewood bridge junction with Otley Road and all the way up the A659 at every junction/potential turning point.
Some motorists are choosing to ignore the signs! The motorists that we have spoken to (that have made it all the way into Arthington) have said that they ‘thought that they could still get through’. One motorist said that she ‘didn’t believe that the road was closed’.
That kind of mindset is difficult to change but I can confirm that additional signs have been placed out to warn motorists on the approaches that there is no access to the airport – or words to that affect.
This will hopefully further reduce the frequency of vehicles. It is likely that a small percentage of motorists will continue to ignore the signage in the hope that they can make it through.
Drivers are responsible for driving safely at all times – including when driving through road works. Anyone that witnesses dangerous driving should take the details and report them to the police – It’s worth pointing out that it is not an offence to drive past signs warning of a ‘road closure ahead’ but it is an offence to drive through the road closure point.
Many residents have asked if Creskeld Lane could be “closed” on the One network so that sat navs do not use it as a diversion – it would remail open for access and locals. I know there have been more signs put on Creskeld lane but residents continue to complain about its safety.
Unfortunately we cannot do this because the road remains open – any vehicle has the right to use it. For the majority of the time, it copes ok. certainly a lot better than when the works started. There are instances, mainly during peak hours ,where traffic sometimes comes to a standstill while the motorists navigate their way past each other ( which can take some time!).
My advice to locals would be to avoid Creskeld Lane altogether and don’t become part of the problem- it’s not a suitable diversion route. This would certainly make life easier for the residents. There is a sign at the bottom of Creskeld Lane warning all motorists that its not suitable – if they choose to ignore that then they run the risk of getting caught up in a queue.
There has been proposals of temporary traffic lights on Creskeld lane so it operates essentially as a one way road which changes direction, is that possible?
Traffic lights wouldn’t work in this situation unfortunately. Each light head would have to be positioned at a location that would allow traffic to queue ( at the red light) and allow enough safe space for the traffic (that has a green light) to pass safely. This would mean one light head at the bottom of Creskeld Lane – near Creskeld Hall for example – with the other light head up in Bramhope near Creskeld Gardens – almost a kilometre away ( as the crow flies). Traffic light heads can only be used up to distances of 250-300m according to the current guidance. Traffic lights heads cant ‘communicate’ with each other very well if that distance is exceeded.
That aside, at the moment traffic generally moves along at a cautious pace ( apart from the odd speeding idiot) due to the many blind bends and narrow lanes. If someone was given a ‘green light’ then they would likely be less cautious , speed up and create a different problem altogether – especially for the pedestrians that use it or farm vehicles that might join from one of the fields.
Is there the possibility of more control in Pool itself and the maybe enforcement cameras?
Motorists that ignore the ‘road closed ahead ‘ signs aren’t actually committing an offence unless they drive through the closure itself ( which is now pretty much impossible) . The signs are there to deter motorists from reaching the closure. There has been a significant reduction in the amount of traffic using Arthington Lane and there are certainly less vehicles traveling up to the closure point, now people have got used to it being closed.
I contacted the Roads Policing Support Unit who confirmed that from a policing perspective, there is little that can be done as no offences are being committed and motorists are legally entitled to use the road – up to the closure point.
They did say that they would speak to the local Neighbourhood Policing Team to see whether they can provide some additional patrols and pay particular attention to the area over the coming weeks while the works are ongoing.