Bradford & District | Archive | 2001 | November | 22
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Thursday 22nd Nov 2001.
Burglaries have allegedly shot-up to 14 times the national average since a Bradford cycle path was opened.
But Council chiefs have refused to re-route it, despite hearing of a catalogue of crimes residents have suffered.
People living in Burras Road in East Bowling have cited an arson attack, anti-social behaviour, an assault and an incident involving the possession of an offensive weapon since the path, which runs from Rooley Lane, was opened 18 months ago.
They claim problems have been made worse by 24-hour opening at the nearby Asda store as customers use their road to park and unload trolleys day and night.
Bowling ward councillor John Ryan (Lab) attended a meeting of Bradford Council's executive committee at City Hall, to speak on behalf of residents.
"This Council takes great pride in listening to its residents. They are asking you to find the £77,000 to cure this problem," he said. "It is a small price to pay to bring peace to the residents of the area."
Many residents attended Tuesday's meeting to try and sway the Council's decision. They claim the chronic crime problem is influencing house prices in the area and are disgusted by the Council's decision.
"We will be back with same problems," said one resident who did not wish to be named. "This is an issue which will not go away."
Others said they were plagued by criminals and some had resorted to installing CCTV cameras outside their homes.
The meeting was presented with a letter from PC Stephen Town, Bradford district architectural liaison officer, who carried out a crime audit in the area.
He found that in the six months prior to the cycle path opening there were only two crimes reported. In the following six months burglary rate shot up to 14 times the national average.
Despite the opposition of Labour members of the executive committee, councillors voted to leave the path as it is.
Members made their decision after hearing that requests to Brunel Housing Association, which built the housing development and cycle track, and Asda for help with funding had been in vain.
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