Urgent Road Safety Improvements at Thackley Corner (A657)
We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by the escalating risks at the Thackley Corner junction, where the A657 meets Thackley Road and Town Lane. This junction is a critical crossing point for over 2,600 children attending three local schools (Thackley Primary School, Idle Church of England Primary School, Immanuel College) and nearby nurseries daily.
Current traffic volumes and speeds on the A657 have created an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment for our community's most vulnerable road users. Near-misses involving pedestrians and cyclists are frequent, and the lack of specialised crossing facilities for horse riders from local stables further exacerbates the risk.
Our Request:
In alignment with the West Yorkshire Vision Zero strategy, which aims to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries, we call on Bradford Council to:
- Prioritise a School Zone Upgrade: Implement a 20mph speed limit during peak school hours and install high-visibility "School Zone" signage to protect the thousands of pupils crossing daily.
- Improve Pedestrian Infrastructure: Install a dedicated pedestrian-only signal phase at the junction to eliminate "conflict" turns where vehicles cross paths with people on foot.
- Ensure Active Travel Safety: Introduce segregated cycle lanes and Advanced Stop Lines to protect cyclists from heavy goods vehicles and commuter traffic.
- Support Rural Users: Install "Pass Wide and Slow" signage and explore the feasibility of a Pegasus crossing to ensure the safety of horse riders using this junction.
- Conduct a Safety Audit: Carry out a formal safety assessment to address visibility issues and ensure road markings are clearly maintained.
Urgent Road Safety Improvements at Thackley Corner (A657)
Thackley Corner is one of the busiest and most dangerous junctions in our area. Every day, around 2,600 pupils travelling to Thackley Primary School, Idle Church of England Primary School, Immanuel College, and nearby nurseries rely on routes through or across this junction, alongside pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and horse riders. Residents are increasingly concerned about the volume and speed of traffic on the A657, the risk of collisions, and the number of near-misses involving vulnerable road users. For many families, this is not a theoretical issue, it is a daily safety worry on the school run. This petition calls on Bradford Council to take urgent action to improve safety at Thackley Corner, including better crossing facilities, lower speeds at school times, safer cycling measures, and a full safety review of the junction. These changes would help protect children, support active travel, and make the area safer for everyone who uses it. Please sign and share this petition to show Bradford Council that our community wants action before a serious accident happens.