Ilkley’s MP Robbie Moore and District Councillor Richard Downey have met with Yorkshire Water to demand clearer accountability and faster progress on the Skipton Road roadworks.
They raised concerns that no contractors have been present on the West Yorkshire site during normal working hours, despite road closures and growing traffic queues affecting residents, commuters, buses, and local businesses, says Ilkley Chat.
Robbie Moore described the situation as ‘completely unacceptable’ and said he was frustrated that Bradford Council’s Highways Department had not yet agreed to meet him on site, despite his request for an urgent meeting.
Commenting, Mr Moore, Member of Parliament for Keighley and Ilkley, said:
“Huge numbers of residents, commuters, including buses and local businesses are being severely impacted by these works, due to the long tailbacks through town and back towards Addingham, and it is costing our local economy in downtime and reduced footfall.”
“I completely appreciate that this work needs to take place, but my issue lies with the fact that no one ever seems to be on site, despite the roadworks being in place. Yorkshire Water, who are responsible for managing this project should have been mandated by Bradford Council’s Highways Team to work around the clock, utilising all daylight hours. The works are scheduled to take place for a full four weeks, and we are now a week in, and so far, you’re lucky if you even see anyone working on site. Why on earth did Bradford Council sign this work programme off, and why do Yorkshire Water think this speed of working is acceptable?”
“It is even more frustrating as warnings have been provided to both organisations throughout this year, following the huge disruption Ilkley faced earlier in the year, for a 10-week period, when roadworks were in place in the same location. I cannot understand why no learning, or progress in thinking has been made.”
“Yorkshire Water has since responded to me after the meeting, basically saying that they will ramp up their efforts, but they still are not able to guarantee longer working hours for the whole of the scheduled works, and are not able to confirm if the works will be completed any sooner. This is simply not good enough.”
“It is also incredibly disappointing that Bradford Councils Highways Team couldn’t be bothered to attend a meeting on site so they could see the situation.”
Cllr Richard Downey said:
“While these commitments are welcome, we share residents’ frustration that the disruption has been so significant. We will continue to hold Yorkshire Water to account, monitor progress closely and press for the traffic management to be removed as soon as it is safe to do so.
(Picture: Courtesy of Robbie Moore MP, Keighley and Ilkley)
