A NEW 20mph zone for Otley is in line to be implemented this year.

The lower limit, designed to improve road safety and encourage drivers to act responsibly, was introduced along more than 100 residential roads south of the river earlier this year.

Now moves to extend the scheme to the northern half of town are progressing, with detailed proposals for the Prince Henry area being finalised.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon), who has been leading the push for lower speed limits for the past decade, said: “More than 80 per cent said they would support a speed reduction and, following discussions with Highways at Leeds City Council, a scheme has been drawn up and is now in its final stage.

“The new works will mean that three quarters of Otley will then be covered by this road safety measure and we are working on proposals for the rest of the town.”

Otley town councillor Philip Bye (Lib Dem, Prince Henry) added: “I fully support this important traffic calming scheme; 20mph limits significantly reduce accidents and improve traffic safety.”

Town council leader councillor John Eveleigh (Lab, Ashfield) is also welcoming the move, but has concerns that the roads near Ashfield Primary School have not been included.

He said: “The town council welcomes the extension to certain roads north of the river of the 20mph zone, but are still concerned that the primary school that arguably needed the 20mph limit the most, namely Ashfield, is not included.”

The town’s first 20mph zone – described by Cllr Campbell as ‘phase one’ of a project to cover all of Otley’s residential streets – experienced teething problems when it went live in March.

Though generally welcomed, householders were left scratching their heads after some signs went up on narrow back alleys where they looked unnecessary.