A CONTROVERSIAL one-way scheme for a Guiseley road has been withdrawn after widespread opposition.

Local councillors were inundated with emails and letters of objection after plans were put forward for the trial of a a one-way system on Victoria Road.

Reactions from local people were so strong that the trial was abandoned just days before it was due to take place.

Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Graham Latty said: “I think I can safely say I have never had as much reaction from the public.

“I have had more emails and letters about this than for any single item I can remember – and my colleagues have as well.”

Cllr Latty, who said he had received well over 100 objections about the proposal, met with his fellow ward councillors and highways officials on Friday last week to discuss the issue.

“We called a meeting last week with highways who were already worrying about it,” he said. “We decided the sensible thing was to pull it out.”

“I am pleased that this one way scheme has been stopped. The idea was to trial Victoria Road as a one way road, but there was significant opposition from local residents, who were concerned about access to their properties and displaced traffic.

“The one way road trial will now not go ahead, but it is hoped that at a later date a crossing on Victoria Road can be implemented after full consultation.”

Cllr Latty said the strength of opposition and the subsequent result was an example of what could be achieved by public protest. Despite the shelving of the scheme, proposed pedestrian improvements will still go ahead.

The one-way plans were put forward for consultation by the Leeds City Council’s highways team in an effort to make improvements to the Station Hotel junction.

Now that the plan has been quashed alternative proposals have been agreed to move forward with pedestrianisation of the remaining three arms of the junction at the Station Hotel.

It is also hoped that a crossing could be installed on Victoria Road after consultation.

Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Pat Latty said: “The one-way road would have been a way to improve pedestrian safety in the area, particularly for children and older people.

“While this trial will now not be going ahead, I hope that in the future we will be able to see a crossing on Victoria Road that will enable these safety improvements to be achieved.”

Fellow ward councillor Paul Wadsworth added: “One of the problems with the proposals was that traffic approaching the Station junction from Park Road, would likely have had to find an alternative route either to the gyratory, or down Back Lane.

“There is still a strong need to make improvements for pedestrians in the area, but the one-way road proposals did not meet with the approval of local people and we asked for them to be shelved.

“We have now agreed to move forward with pedestrianisation of the remaining three arms of the junction.”