KEIGHLEY politicians will keep an eagle eye on whether a new school crossing patrol is successful.

They will monitor the introduction of a lollipop person on busy Lawkholme Lane to help children get to and from school.

Keighley Area Committee has demanded a report in six months so they can assess whether the crossing patrol has reduced danger on the notorious rat run.

Members made the decision last Thursday after discussing a petition calling for a pelican crossing on Lawkholme Lane to help families cross from Showfield to Eastwood Primary School.

The councillors rejected the crossing request after hearing that traffic volumes on Lawkholme Lane did not meet Bradford Council criteria for funding.

They heard that there had been only one road injury in Lawkholme Lane during the past five years.

Earlier this year, former ward councillor Kaneez Akhtar spearheaded a campaign for a crossing to serve people walking between the Showfield, Lawkholme and Eastwood neighbourhoods.

The campaign included a petition signed by 280 people and a supporting letter signed by Cllr Akhtar, parent governors and the school’s acting headteacher.

Area committee chairman Cllr Khadim Hussain, whose Bradford Council ward includes Lawkholme Lane, said committee members supported the introduction of a lollipop person.

He said: “We will keep an eye on the situation at the crossing patrol is introduced. We will welcome people’s feedback on what they think.”

Cllr Hussain felt it was not appropriate to provide a pelican crossing at the current time, until the impact of planned road changes in the area were known.

He said: “There will be right-turn bans on both ends of Lawkholme Lane. This means the rat-run that put pressure on the road should minimise.”

Fellow ward councillor Abid Hussain welcomed the introduction of a lollipop person, adding: “It will give people an opportunity to keep their children safe.”