AN EMERGENCY plan to close a vital canal swing bridge has been thrown into disarray after concerns were raised over potential traffic chaos.

And the proposed shutting of the Micklethwaite Lane bridge, over the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Micklethwaite, has renewed arguments over access to a controversial 440-home development at Sty Lane, already approved by Bradford Council planners but heading for an appeal in October.

On Monday, City Hall highways chiefs emailed councillors regarding a sudden need to shut the bridge from next Monday, stating: "The operators need to carry out urgent upgrades and repairs to the bridge control system, and as such have asked for an emergency two-week road closure across the bridge to be in force from March 23, 2015 for two weeks."

It adds that the highways department is "of a mind to grant unless serious objections are received - we are currently in the process of consulting the emergency services on the matter."

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But following a furious flurry of emails from Bingley ward councillors and anti-Sty Lane development campaigners pointing out the impact on local traffic of a two-week closure, the council hurriedly changed its position.

On Tuesday they were informed that: "Bradford MDC's involvement in this matter is solely from a coordination point of view. No closure order will be provided until such time as the issues have been addressed."

Bingley ward Councillor Mark Shaw said the bridge closure would demonstrate the traffic nightmare predicted by all ward Councillors, who spoke out against the Redrow and Bellway homes development.

"This would be like a trial run on a small scale. If you shut the bridge, there will be traffic chaos.

"And how much worse would it be with 440 households and 1,000 more cars using that bridge?

"Imagine trying to get all that traffic, and emergency vehicles in an out of a single entrance and exit.

"Even if it is a new bridge with two lanes, it will still need maintenance, and we now know that can take two weeks," Cllr Shaw said.

Greenhill Action Group chairman Terry Brown said the proposed diversions would not cope with existing traffic wanting to use the swing bridge.

"All the traffic from Gilstead, Eldwick, Park Road and Lady Lane would just merrily go down Greenhill Lane and then find out that the bridge was shut.

"The closure plans had not been thought through.

"And even if the proposed new bridge for the new estate never breaks down - if it had to close for another reason, so then what happens?" Mr Brown said.

GAG is gearing up for a second public inquiry into the Sty Lane development, due to begin on October 6.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said: “If the bridge does close I just hope the Planning Inspector comes up to see clearly the chaos and the need to reject the planning application under their consideration.”

Darren Badrock, Bradford Council Principal Engineer - Network Resilience and Management, said: "We are currently in discussion with the company who manage the bridge regarding a closure, as they want to carry out necessary upgrades to the operating machinery.

"We are consulting on this proposal and seeking more information before anything is agreed."