RESIDENTS have been having their say on plans to improve one of Wharfedale’s busiest junctions.

Leeds City Council is proposing to widen a left filter lane - and the adjacent footpath - at the Dyneley Arms crossroads.

Those changes would apply to the turn-off that is used by traffic on the A658 Pool Bank New Road, heading uphill from Pool-in-Wharfedale, to join the A660 Leeds Road.

They would be linked to improvements to the existing traffic light technology.

Highways officers say the changes are ‘intended to address existing operational issues...in particular extensive queuing on approach at peak times and vehicle blocking at the middle of the junction’.

They go on to describe the scheme as a ‘quick-win’ that will require ‘limited work’.

The council has been asking residents and road-users for their initial thoughts on the proposal and their comments have now been collected.

Some of the respondents were sceptical about the likely benefits. One said: “I drive past the Dyneley Arms three times a week and feel it would be a lot of disruption with not much gain.

“Most of the traffic either turns right, which if the filter was set to a longer time would be more helpful, or they drive straight on. I follow very few cars turning left.”

Another said: “It would be good to understand the benefits of this proposal and at what cost as it appears that the council is spending money (and creating more roadworks) to provide something that drivers do automatically.

“This will not ease congestion at the junction.”

Others, however, welcomed the move - albeit with reservations. One said: “Given the overall slope at the junction and some acute angles, this seems to me to be a good way forward.”

Another commented: “This looks to be a reasonable proposal for an inexpensive, partial solution.

“The present arrangement is difficult for right-turning traffic going up the hill as, whilst right-turning traffic down the hill has a clear run, anything going up and wishing to turn right has to give way to vehicles coming down.”

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) said: “This scheme is at least a start in addressing the issues at the Dyneley Arms, however it should only be seen as a small, short term quick-win.

“There is still a lot more thought needed and a lot of issues need to be addressed. Hopefully residents and drivers alike, along with cyclists, will see the benefits.

“To date the officers and their consultants have shown a willingness to discuss concerns, along with the comments by residents.”

The council will now seek to gain approval to proceed, which will require funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. There will then be a full public consultation before the final details are agreed.