A FRUSTRATED resident has suggested a small change he thinks could ease “two years of traffic chaos” at proposed roadworks in Greengates, Bradford.

Plans are currently being drawn up for extensive works to upgrade the junction of Harrogate Road and New Line in Greengates.

Local resident Richard Lee, of Bateson Street, attended the public consultation meeting on the plan last month, where he suggested a plan he thinks would make the work less disruptive.

The 50-year-old, who runs his own recruitment agency, said: “The scheme is fantastic, the junction needs upgrading as it is causing chaos.

“It doesn’t function properly as it is, and two years of work will make it a lot worse before it gets better.

“At the meeting I suggested to the planners that, before works starts, they put in some proper right filter lanes.

“It is the fact there is no proper filtering system that is the main cause of the disruption because you just can’t turn right until the lights go red, and then only one or two cars can get through at a time. It would make a massive difference even now, and the cost of putting it in would be worth it during the roadworks. Hopefully planners will listen to what residents have to say.”

Councillor Dominic Fear (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) said he and his colleagues are hoping to meet with planners to discuss the outcome of the public consultation, and Mr Lee’s idea is something he will put forward.

Cllr Fear said: “Mr Lee’s idea is actually something we have discussed in the past, along with putting in proper pedestrian crossings. This is a massive project, and there is a lot of stuff that needs to be discussed.

“The public response to the consultation process was huge, this is a junction which affects us all in our ward.

“Once work starts the junction is going to be a completely different animal altogether, so anything we can do to help make the work a bit less disruptive we will absolutely look at.

“At this point, everything is still on the table, and anything that will minimise disruption while the work takes place is something we would support.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council thanked Mr Lee for his suggestions, and said they are being considered.

She said: “We are grateful to members of the local community for contributing their views during the pre-application consultation. All feedback received during the consultation will be considered on an on-going basis by the project team and suggestions will be incorporated into the finalisation of the scheme where possible.”