Fillip for traders as Council says main scheme progressing ahead of schedule

Traders say the current phase of the project, which involves resurfacing work, has caused the most congestion since works began.

But there could be better times ahead for disrupted businesses as the Council pulls out all the stops to stay ahead of schedule.

A Council spokesman said: “Although the works completion date is in the New Year, the scheme is progressing well so far and we are hopeful that the main works will finish before Christmas.”

Ward councillor Martin Love said although there had been some anticipated disruption, the improvements were still ahead of schedule.

“It is going very well and they are pulling out all the stops to try and be finished by Christmas,” said Coun Love (Green, Shipley).

“The weather has been good to us and hopefully it will continue to be ahead of schedule.

“People have been realistic about the road surfacing, when cars can’t drive over new tarmac.

“And it is all taking shape with all the traffic lights and crossings appearing,” he said. Temporary traffic lights beside the Shell garage on Bingley road, plus removing huge swathes of tarmac to resurface the routes, have brought things to a grinding halt,” said Megan Evans, who runs high-class jewellers the Evans Patnership with her brother Hugh.

“This is definitely the worst it’s been since the whole thing began. A nightmare,” Miss Evans said.

“For example, recently an articulated lorry simply couldn’t get through because the barriers were too narrow and so the whole road was backed up and gridlocked.

“We’re powerless and it is hitting our trade as we’re simply not getting the footfall.

“The contractors are all very nice and helpful, but there have been a lot of delays,” she said.

Deli owner Matt Coxon, of food shop Cheese and Chutney, agreed the traffic problems had peaked last week, but said he was looking on the bright side.

“It’s not been good recently – but they do seem to be cracking on with everything at a fair rate now,” Mr Coxon said.

“They seem to be working a lot quicker and that includes evening, night-time and weekend work.

“The surface outside my shop was all taken up in one go during last Wednesday night.

“And last night they came and put down lovely new tarmac in front of us and along Gordon Terrace,” Mr Coxon said.

“I’m feeling a little bit more confident now that it may all be done sooner rather than later.

“And then we can get people back into Saltaire.

“It had to be done and fingers crossed we are finally getting there,” Mr Coxon added.

Angela Walmlsey owns the Butterfly Rooms art and gift shop, also on Bingley Road, and said customers had mentioned a recent increase in driving difficulties.

“It is causing the most mischief at the moment, but it’s at a crucial stage with the resurfacing which I suppose is a major bit.

“To be fair, the construction guys are all very good about it and this week we had hand-delivered letters with spreadsheets telling us exactly what’s going on and when.

“It seems as everything is on schedule and we’re even hoping the bulk of it may be finished before Christmas,” she said.

The massive job of removing the old Saltaire roundabout and replacing it with a complex new traffic system of lights, road closures and diversions began in July.

A council spokesman said everything had been done to minimise disruption and that the new layout would greatly improve both the control and flow of traffic to and from Saltaire.

For the latest information people can go to bradford.gov.uk/regeneration