Bradford commuters coming in to the city from the north are plagued by bottlenecks. Shipley is a notorious cause of long delays, with tailbacks at Fox Corner throughout the day and particularly at rush hour. So is Greengates traffic lights, with regular tailbacks along Harrogate Road in both directions as well as on the A657 Shipley-Calverley road.

Conditions at this latter junction, at least, seem likely to be improved thanks to a plan rubber-stamped by Bradford North Area Committee which will no doubt please the many people who have no alternative other than to head in and out of Bradford each day via this route.

Things have become worse than ever in recent years thanks to extensive building development at Apperley Bridge and, further afield, at Rawdon and Yeadon. It has become essential that something is done to relieve the congestion.

When this plan goes ahead the southbound traffic wanting to turn left will be able to filter off before the junction, taking some of the pressure off this notorious corner and making life easier for pedestrians crossing the A657 at New Line to catch the buses which stop there.

It will also no doubt relieve many local people that under this proposal the cenotaph will be able to stay in its present location, although with a slightly smaller garden around it.

Unfortunately the necessary work seems likely to cause even more disruption for a while, but once it is completed motorists heading into Bradford via this route should find their journeys are made less frustrating.