A HIGHWAYS decision not to increase warning signs to deter large vehicles from Old Pool Bank has been criticised by a ward councillor.

Adel and Wharfedale councillor Barry Anderson said: The very nature and layout of the road means that any large vehicle using this stretch should be dissuaded from doing so as they are a potential problem to themselves, any walkers, cyclists or other light vehicular traffic using this stretch. It is also dangerous when they are trying to access lower Old Pool Bank from the A660 at the Bar House corner. There are examples of buses and larger vehicles still trying it, despite the signage that is there.

"Whilst the recent survey by Highways only shows a small amount of the traffic that uses lower Old Pool Bank is classified as HGV or smaller lorry-type vehicles and supermarket delivery vans it still causes a large amount of problems and I don’t feel that this is taken seriously enough. Large vehicles often get stuck on the road, unable to pass through due to taking a route that is unsuitable for them.”

A Leeds City Council survey in June showed that ‘HGV’ use of Old Pool Bank was around just 2.0 per cent - but 10 per cent was needed to justify a prohibition on environmental grounds.