Kelly McKeown, Conservative candidate for Batley West, has launched a petition to re-introduce the 30mph zone on the section of Upper Batley Lane, which was increased to 40mph more than a year ago.

The council opted for the increase to allow a 30mph sign to go up further down the road, therefore ensuring traffic slowed down when approaching St Saviour’s Junior and Infant School.

Regulations mean more than one sign for the same speed cannot be put up on a stretch of road.

As a result, the council raised the speed limit at one end of Upper Batley Lane to make sure a 30mph sign could be introduced at the other.

But Ms McKeown said the reduction had made little difference. The campaigners are calling for the re-introduction of the 30mph limit zone, with a new reduction to 20mph around the school.

Miss McKeown said she would present the petition to David Hall, cabinet member for transport.

She said: “Upper Batley Lane, under the new speed limit, has become an accident hotspot and needs the council’s attention before a serious accident happens.”