WORK on Ilkley's controversial 20mph zone with speed humps is expected to start in a few weeks, a senior Bradford councillor has said - despite the town council's attempts to press pause on the project.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said he also expected Ilkley Town Council to honour its commitment to the scheme.

Cllr Ross-Shaw was responding to Ilkley Town Council's decision on Monday this week to ask Bradford Council to immediately pause implementation of the proposed (20mph and speed humps) scheme and draft a new targeted 20mph zone, which would be subject to further public consultation and approval by the town council.

The town council has also approved expenditure of £1,000 to seek legal advice on the validity of the section 278 funding agreement and whether or not it can be set aside.

In response Cllr Ross-Shaw said: “Ilkley Town Council resolved to continue to support the scheme only a couple of meetings ago and, while recognising that there is a split of opinion on the Town Council, this latest motion has come about as a single councillor was not able to attend this latest meeting. We’re expecting to start on site in a few weeks and obviously expect the Town Council to honour the commitment it made on this scheme and that was reconfirmed only a few weeks ago.

“The legal agreement for this scheme was signed some time ago and the proposals have been amended multiple times to recognise and take in to account the concerns of residents who commented on the extent of traffic calming, which now covers just 12 streets.

“Multiple speed limits throughout town centres creates confusion for motorists and the police support a single zone. Multiple speed limits also incurs greater cost and more signs. We’ve just simplified speed limits on Moor Road and Hangingstone Road to remove a similar issue.

“We understand the strength of feeling among some residents, but we believe this amended proposal is the right one for Ilkley, having successfully implemented similar schemes elsewhere in the district.”