The times of dozens of bus services across the district have been changed as Bradford's biggest bus company tries to beat congestion on the busy roads and complete its journeys on time.

Khadim Hussain, operations director of the First bus company, said: "Modern congestion traffic conditions around the city and town centres, where most of our services run, mean that it gets harder by the week to maintain a satisfactory level of services.

"These service changes are mainly to overcome late running being experienced due to traffic conditions. They reflect our quest for improved reliability."

Mr Hussain said the company would monitor the journeys to ensure the public received the best possible services.

But today Councillor Ann Ozolins (Idle, Lib Dem), a Bradford representative on the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, said: "These changes are so widespread they could cause chaos for passengers. I am concerned I was not notified of them. We will closely monitor them to ensure they are achieving reliability."

Many buses operating at the morning and evening peak times have been rescheduled to run earlier but the 3.40pm 619 Bradford/Sandy Lane/Cottingley/-Bingley service, which goes from Sandy Lane Primary School, has been withdrawn.

The service, which operates on school days, is for the public as well as school children and parents but is used by too few people to be viable, says the company.

Greenlea Avenue, Yeadon, has also been withdrawn from the Bradford- /Yeadon/Leeds-Bradford Airport services. Mr Hussain said the route meant the buses had to make a loop to get to Greenlea Avenue but the service would keep better time by continuing along the main road.

The 845 Mayo Avenue/- Wibsey/Bradford service has also changed its route through the busy city centre to avoid traffic build-ups.

Coun Ozolins said it would be easy to monitor the times buses reached their destinations because stops would soon be equipped with real- time information signs. She said she would write to the Traffic Commissioners with her concerns about the scale of the changes.

Mr Hussain said the top priority for passengers, staff and the company was safety.

But he added: "The ability of your bus to turn up when the timetables say it will is fundamental to us both."

Bradford Council's executive member for the environment, including transport Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: "I hope that the customers will find it beneficial.

"The reality is that if they don't want to use these services there will be more traffic on the roads.