Ilkley Parish Council asks to be told about road closures (From Wharfedale Observer)

Ilkley Parish Council asks to be told about road closures

2:08pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News

Ilkley councillors have asked to be notified by Bradford Council of requests to close off roads in the town in future.

The town’s parish council resolved to write to the authority this week, asking to be among those notified.

Councillor Mike Ridgway raised the issue at Ilkley Parish Council’s meeting on Monday night, asking if the council should be consulted or advised when Bradford Council gets a request to close streets such as The Grove. The street was closed off for several events last year, including ones organised by Ilkley Parish Council, and Ilkley Summer Festival.

Coun Ridgway told how he had been approached by a resident asking why the parish council had shut the road again, and had explained the parish council did not have any say in the matter, as the procedure goes via Bradford Council.

Coun Ridgway said he did not wish to be controversial and had no objection to people wanting to close the road off for the pancake races or Remembrance parade.

The Grove was also closed off for the Ilkley Summer Festival Continental Street Market, Dolce Vita cabaret and parish council-organised Last Night of the Proms concert, Remembrance Sunday parade, as well as events including the parish council’s Christmas lights switch-on ceremony in November. “I feel the parish council should be involved or consulted about decisions for road closures, particularly along The Grove,” said Coun Ridgway.

The parish council heard any organisation could apply to local authorities for a road closure, and residents and businesses affected, as well as passenger transport heads if the road was part of a bus route, were informed, along with the police.

Parish clerk Alan Draper said a three-month notice period was required for a road closure.