LONG-AWAITED improvements to a congested junction have moved a step forward.

Bradford Council’s executive has agreed to start acquiring the land needed to widen the junction of Harrogate Road and New Line in Greengates, Bradford.

Councillor Val Slater, the executive member for transport, told a meeting yesterday that the improvements had been “on the table for about 20 years” and were now finally happening thanks to funding from the new West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund.

Councillor Imran Hussain, deputy leader of the Labour-run council, said he knew how frustrating the traffic could be there.

He said: “You could be stuck there for well over an hour on occasions.”

He asked officers to make sure that any businesses which would have to move to make way for the new junction were given plenty of help.

After the meeting, the progress was welcomed by councillors over the border in Leeds.

Conservative councillors Andrew Carter and Rod Wood (Calverley and Farsley) both said it would have a big impact on their area.

Cllr Wood said: “Nothing is more frustrating than being stuck in traffic as you try to get to and from your place of work.”