A BRADFORD resident has hit out at the length of time it is taking to repair damage to a rail bridge parapet which is causing a "dangerous" safety issue for pedestrians.

A retaining wall on a rail parapet bridge on Apperley Lane at Apperley Bridge was heavily damaged about a month ago and the area has been fenced off for the safety of pedestrians.

However, Bradford resident Peter Kerr said safety cones and barriers put up around the area have closed off the footpath for pedestrians.

Mr Kerr said: "The railway bridge parapet has been badly damaged and the pavement for pedestrians completely blocked, requiring them to cross and recross a very busy and dangerous road.

"Children and all pedestrians face danger from heavy and fast traffic.

"The obstruction means that it is still extremely dangerous for pedestrians including schoolchildren walking from Woodhouse Grove School to Brontë House School, and currently requires the need to cross both fast-moving heavily trafficked road carriageways on A658."

Mr Kerr, who lives in Baildon but runs a model railway club at Bronte House School, has two grandchildren at Woodhouse House and one at Bronte House, and said he is particularly concerned about the students who use the path at both schools.

"That road is so incredibly dangerous. The lives of children can't be put at risk because of this."

He said the obstructed footpath means pedestrians would have to step into the road to get around or cross a very busy road.

"I don't want children to be knocked down.

"I had to rely on a car to stop to allow me to cross.

"There is a pedestrian crossing further down at the entrance to Apperley Bridge train station but that doesn't help people walking down the road.

"I know they have to protect people from falling through the wall, but this issue needs to be sorted.

"I can understand that the repair of the railway bridge is a complex issue, but it is simply not good enough."

He has written to Bradford Council three times in the last three weeks to ask about a timescale for repairs but has received no response.

The council, however, has said the issue is the responsibility of Network Rail.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We’re aware of concerns raised and are looking into them with our contractor. Repairs will take place in the coming weeks.”