Bradford Council Q&A: Ilkley 20mph speed limit scheme
You’ve got some questions. Bradford Council’s got some answers 🛞
Ilkley Town Council’s full meeting last month had, as we reported at the time, lots to say about the controversial 20mph traffic calming measures that were introduced in 2024. Our conclusion? There are known knowns, known unknowns, unknown unknowns. Go figure.
To sort of untangle this drawn out mess – which remains a hot topic of debate in this not so literal corner of West Yorkshire – and to get back up to speed (because a lot has happened since the idea was first mooted and do accept our apologies for the unintended pun), we decided to get in touch with Bradford Council to see if we could get an update of sorts.
And we did. Miracles do happen (well, when you apply journalistic best practice that is). While many questions remain, with residents still left to deal with a scheme that many of them didn’t want – and who have to, all opposition and activity to reverse or improve the traffic calming measures notwithstanding – the responses from the council are useful … whatever side of the road you sit on and whatever next steps you want to take.
For instance, we now have a completion date. We now have an idea of when we can expect a “meaningful evaluation of the scheme’s impact”. And we now have a pretty generic response to how much the scheme will cost (which, we concede, isn’t that helpful). It’s something.
Scroll down to find out more.
Oh, and remember, Ilkley Town Council’s next full council meeting is on Monday 7 July at 7.30pm at the Clarke Foley Centre. The 20mph scheme is an agenda item.
1. Who was responsible for the idea of introducing new 20mph speed limits and traffic calming measures in Ilkley?
The scheme was initiated following a request from Ilkley Town Council to explore the feasibility of implementing a 20mph speed limit across the town.
2. What evidence was there that traffic calming measures were needed in Ilkley?
Council officers reviewed speed and collision data throughout Ilkley to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to support the development of a 20mph speed limit proposal.
The data collectively supported the case for a town-wide scheme aimed at reducing the number and severity of collisions and improving safety for non-motorised users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.
3. What work was done to assess the need and the location of the speed bumps and by who?
Building on the findings above, the council’s traffic and road safety engineers developed a scheme in line with relevant regulations and design guidance.
The design was tailored to local highway conditions and included physical measures where speed data indicated they were necessary.
While there is no standalone document capturing each decision, the scheme was developed through the preparation of engineering design drawings, which were used, as appropriate, during the consultation process.
Planning officers were not consulted, as this is a highways matter managed by the council’s traffic and road safety engineers.
4. According to reports, the scheme had £187,500 allocated to it. What is the final bill?
The final cost of the scheme is currently being confirmed.
5. When did the project start and finish?
Construction of the traffic calming measures began in February 2024. The final site check was conducted on 2 June 2025 and confirmed completion of all outstanding works.
The scheme has been completed.
6. Has the project been completed as per the original specification (which had an approximate cost at £187,500)?
The initial cost estimate was based on a ‘best case’ scenario and subject to change following consultation and site-specific constraints.
While the final scheme differs in some respects from the original proposal, such changes were expected and reflect stakeholder feedback and detailed design considerations.
The completed scheme remains aligned with the original objectives.
7. Has a review been carried out to assess both the work and impact of the scheme?
Monitoring will be undertaken 12 months after completion. This timeframe allows drivers to adjust to the changes and ensures more robust and meaningful evaluation of the scheme’s impact.
8. Where can we find all public-facing documents relating to this scheme?
All publicly available documentation, including consultation drawings and traffic regulation orders, can be accessed here.