A ROAD safety row has broken out between an Otley councillor and a bus company.

Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) recently wrote to several firms to flag up public concerns about their buses using Boroughgate's busy junction with Walkergate, which he believes poses a danger to both passengers and pedestrians.

Cllr Lay also pointed out signs are in place warning Walkergate – which until June was part of Otley's now abandoned one-way system – is unsuitable for heavy vehicles.

Instead, buses and lorries are advised to use the junction with Crossgate.

But Craig Temple, managing director of Harrogate Coach Travel, which operates under the Wharfe Connexions banner in Otley, insists Walkergate is actually the safest route for vehicles heading for Otley bus station.

And he also claims to have received no complaints from the public despite his drivers using the 'short-cut' for many years.

But an unconvinced Cllr Lay said: "This response from Harrogate Coach Travel is not good enough.

"The lack of understanding of the problems their vehicles create for pedestrians and other road users is extremely disappointing.

"Taking such an arrogant and complacent approach does his company no favours.

"Buses were perfectly capable of using the Argos junction whilst we had the one-way restrictions in place, so there’s absolutely no reason they can’t continue to do so now.

"I have asked for a meeting with the managing director to try to find a solution to this issue.

"The safety of pedestrians and other road users has to be the top priority, even if this inconveniences some bus drivers."

Mr Temple responded: "Buses have used that road for as long as I can remember, and I've never had a complaint from a member of the public.

"If you turn left at the junction onto Crossgate you can't do that with a 12-metre bus without taking most of the lanes up because there's not enough room to get the swing in.

"Using Walkergate is actually safer because you're going straight across into the bus station.

"We carry an awful lot of people into Otley and we do do the right thing.

"I will have a meeting with Cllr Lay, but my main concerns are about safety and reliability, and Walkergate is a safer and better route for us to use."

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Gazette and Observer, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.