Rise in number of people hurt or killed on roads in Keighley

The rise in the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on Keighley’s roads has been described as “concerning.”

While figures have either fallen or remained steady in other parts of the District, the Keighley Central area has seen an increase, and the rise has partly been down to “anti-social driving” – according to a new report.

Between 2022 and 2024, 47 people have been killed or seriously injured in incidents on the roads of Keighley Central.

This makes the ward the fifth worst in the District for KSI incidents.

But unlike other wards in the top five, the situation was worse in Keighley in 2024 than it was in 2022.

More average speed cameras on one of the main routes into the town is one way authorities plan to tackle the problem.

The figures will be discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, when members are given an update on the Vision Zero strategy.

Vision Zero has been adopted by Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority and plans to reduce the number of road deaths in the area to zero by 2040.

The report shows that while there is a long way to go achieve this, there are some signs things are improving.

The most recent figures show that in the past year there has been 969 collisions in the District that have led to injuries. This is 6.4 per cent down from the previous 12 months.

Although the number of people killed – 13 – was the same as the previous year, the number of people seriously injured (285) was down 11.8 per cent.

But that steady reduction in KSIs was not seen in the Keighley Central ward.

In 2022 there were 14 traffic incidents where someone was killed or seriously injured in Keighley Central.

Last year that figure had risen to 17, making it the only part of the district to see a rise in KSI incidents in this period.

The report that will go to members says: “Keighley Central and surrounding wards have experienced concerning KSI increases and reports of antisocial driving.

“The August 2024 fatal collision involving a young rider on an electric motorcycle has heightened community anxiety.”

The report says police and Bradford Council will aim to tackle the issue through “targeted enforcement” and more average speed cameras on the A629.

It adds: “The A629 corridor is priority for average speed camera deployment.”

Last year average speed cameras were installed on a stretch of the road near Bingley. The report says a business case is currently being developed to install more cameras on the Keighley stretch of the road.

If approved, the scheme, which would be funded through £500,000 from West Yorkshire Police’s Safety Camera Partnership, could be live by Summer 2026.

The City ward, which includes Bradford city centre, has been the worst for KSIs, with 26 in 2024.

However, this is down from 31 in 2023 and 28 in 2022.

Referring to the ward, the report says: “The city centre experiences the highest concentration of pedestrian casualties, particularly around the Interchange, Broadway, and university campus.

“Evening incidents often involve impaired pedestrians or drivers.”

Manningham is second worst for KSI’s but is also improving. In 2022 there were 24 incidents, and in 2024 this had fallen to 19.

Toller was third worst with 18 KSI incidents in 2024, down from 19 in 2022, and Great Horton was fourth with 15, down from 16 in 2022.

Issues effecting other areas of the District are also highlighted in the report.

On the Shipley Constituency, the report says: “Rural roads used as recreational motorcycle routes present ongoing challenges.

“Bingley and Baildon report concerns regarding school-gate safety and commuter rat-running.”

On Bradford South, the report says: “Improvements along Manchester Road have contributed to casualty reductions in Wibsey and Great Horton.

“Concerns remain about HGV movements through Low Moor.”

Referring to the difficulties in reducing casualties in Bradford, the report says: “Bradford’s demographic profile presents specific challenges and opportunities for Vision Zero.

“The young population creates both vulnerability (child casualties) and risk (young driver over-representation).

“High population density in inner urban areas generates pedestrian exposure, but also supports active travel.”