Purpose

1. In response to concern expressed by the
local community around road safety and how to prevent fly tipping,
criminal and antisocial behaviour, New Lane was closed to vehicles
in 2020, with the exception of landowners and farmers who were
permitted access via a locked gate. Access for pedestrians,
cyclists and horse riders was maintained.
2. This to some extent alleviated the concerns above, improved road
safety by the removal of through traffic and helped to reduce the
potential for vehicular conflict with pedestrians.
3. The gate has been vandalised on multiple occasions since its
introduction and at present is damaged and the gate cannot be
used.
4. Continuing repairs to the gate at increasingly frequent
intervals was not financially sustainable. Having monitored the
situation and following consultation with ward members it was
determined that the most appropriate solution was to install a
permanent, fixed closure as a replacement for the existing gated
arrangement. The proposed closure would apply to all vehicles
(cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians
would continue to be exempted) including those belonging to
landowners and farmers that have to date been exempted. This would
improve further the amenities of the area through which the road
runs and preserve the character of the road where it is especially
suitable for use by persons cycling, on horseback or on foot.
5. A variety of stakeholders have been consulted, either directly
or via street notices and press publications. The Emergency
Services have not expressed any concerns. West Yorkshire Fire
Service indicated that a gate would be preferable but a closure to
all vehicles would not be an issue as long it is communicated to
crews.
6. There have been 8 formal representations received in respect of
the TRO, 1 supporting and 7 objecting to the scheme (5 of which are
not landowners and thereby don’t hav legal access throught
the existing gated closure
These are detailed in Appendix 2.
7. If it is resolved not to implement the proposed Traffic
Regulation Order, it is recommended that (in addition to abandoning
the current proposal) the existing (gated) point closure Order is
revoked and the gating installation removed; this is on the basis
that the current gated arrangement is not maintainable in
perpetuity.

Content

(1) That following consideration of the representation received,
the Traffic Regulation Order for a point closure to all motorised
vehicles on New Lane to be made permanent (with no adjacent
landowner exemptions) be made, sealed and implemented as
advertised

Alternative options considered

(1) That following consideration of the
representation received, the Traffic Regulation Order for a point
closure to all motorised vehicles on New Lane to be made permanent
(with no adjacent landowner exemptions) be made, sealed and
implemented as advertised

or

(2) That following consideration of the representation received,
the Traffic Regulation Order for a point closure to all motorised
vehicles on New Lane to be made permanent (with no adjacent
landowner exemptions) is abandoned and the existing (gated) point
closure also be revoked and the gating installation and associated
road signs removed.