It was all change for thousands of motorists in Bradford as the big lights switch-on happened at 6am today.

The operation introduced a brand new system for drivers to negotiate, with a long-awaited set of traffic lights replacing the huge Mayo Avenue roundabout on Manchester Road.

Police were on hand to guide drivers as the lights started operating this morning at the bottleneck blackspot in a bid to ease congestion which has plagued the junction for months.

It should mean celebration time for the 66,000 motorists who use the highway every day.

And no-one will be happier than the landlady at the Craven Heifer pub, Jenny Wright.

The hostelry has had a ringside view of the bulldozers and lorries for the past few months.

And Jenny said her takings had halved on some weekends and her lunchtime food trade had dropped away because it had been taking motorists too long to get there from the end of the M606 motorway.

She said: "They've nicknamed me the wicked witch of the north because I go over complaining so often.

"There is a sort of love-hate relationship between me and the workmen now. The site manager has given me his number, I am on at them so often.

"I just hope when it is finally all over they come in here to celebrate!"

The roundabout was reduced to one-lane only this weekend and work went on through the night to meet the deadline.

A police spokesman said: "The junction is open and working but local people will not be aware of the new traffic flow and so we have two officers at the scene assisting."

The traffic lights are the next key stage in the £10 million transformation of the clogged roadways of South Bradford.

Once they are up and running work will continue on the sliproads and the pavements around the junction.

But Jenny said she has been promised the all-clear by Christmas.

"I have forgotten what it looks like out there without seeing loads of men in yellow coats," she said. "However, if it does the trick and traffic improves then it has to be worth it all."

The Government has granted £10 million to convert the roundabout and create a new link road from the M606 on to Rooley Lane.

In Manchester Road workmen discovered old cellars deep beneath the roadway which had to be filled in to provide a solid base for the new road.

They also unearthed old tramlines beneath the layers of tarmac which had to be dug up.

The work, following soon after the controversial Manchester Road guided bus lane was installed, has meant a constant headache for thousands of motorists.

Yorkshire Water repairs along Rooley Lane and more work further along at the Staygate motorway roundabout have added to the chaos.

Bradford Council said the work was essential to create more jobs and regenerate the south Bradford area.

Throughout Council engineers have worked closely with the contractors Mowlem plc to keep disruption to a minimum