I'm not cynical by nature, but 'follow the money' is a useful rule of thumb. Notice how keen the Council is on any measure for which funds have been promised from central government (bicycle lanes, re-worked junction at EDG/Townley Road, emergency COVID measures, LTNs etc etc..). I appreciate that they're hard up these days, but they jump at the chance of funding before the issue has been properly thought out or consulted on. But again without being cynical, government seems to enjoy providing funds to local government for projects that might prove unpopular, thus diverting attention from the government's own failings.