LATEST NEWS: Much-maligned road to finally reopen almost a year since roadworks started and seven months late

A COUNCILLOR has said he understands why a delay in roadworks between Thornton and Allerton could be causing "annoyance" from Bradford residents.

Questions have been asked why a major road link between Thornton and Allerton has been closed for so long due to work at the junction of Allerton Lane, Old Road and School Green.

Highways work to be carried out necessitated temporary closures along lengths of Allerton Lane, School Green and Old Road as follows:

*School Green - from the Allerton Lane junction to the Thornton Road junction.

*Allerton Lane - from the School Green junction to the Bracewell Avenue junction.

*Old Road - from the Thornton Road junction to the School Avenue junction.

The order originally came into force into the summer and was to remain until October 8, 2021, but that deadline has had to extended.

Traffic on School Green has frustrated local residents who have said the road is used as a rat-run to get from one side of Bradford to the other.

Cllr Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton and Allerton) said: "It got delayed and they extended the deadline.

"October had been the original deadline but that hasn't happened and I fully appreciate why people and residents get annoyed.

"The works need to get done in a timely manner and done completely and to a good standard so there are no issues going forward.

"There have been issues with traffic on School Green. These highways improvements are in the process of being made but a well was discovered when excavation works were being carried out.

"This work has to happen but we need a definitive timetable, I'll be pushing to get a fuller picture because we need to know where we are with this."

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “The original closure period had to be extended after a number of engineering issues became apparent including the discovery of an old well underneath the road.

“This meant more work was needed than originally planned and resulted in delays where the contractor had to suspend work in the interim.

“Works to the improvement of School Green and Allerton Lane is again ongoing and expected to be completed in the last week in February.

“However, that timeline is dependent on favourable weather and no lost time due to snow, ice or storms if it is considered too dangerous to work. The health and safety of the workers is paramount.

“We thank residents for their understanding.”