Bingley's £50 million relief road is on course for an autumn opening.

Although there is still much work to be done, most of the road surfacing between Crossflatts roundabout and a new footbridge at the Three Rise Locks is now complete, and street lighting is being installed.

The five-kilometre long, two-lane dual carriageway, running from Crossflatts roundabout to Cottingley Bar, was commissioned by the Highways Agency.

At Cottingley, the new accesses to the Bankfield Hotel and the Yorkshire Clinic are almost complete.

The traffic has been switched to a temporary road, which allows the existing Bradford Road to be excavated and the new roundabout to be completed.

The first phase of work on a new bridge at Keighley Road is also complete.

In Bingley town centre a new road bridge and first section of a canal bridge at Ferncliffe Road are finished.

Installation of new traffic signals at the junction is ongoing.

A structure over the South Bog site of special scientific interest at Dowley Gap is complete and new road surfacing laid.

Yesterday the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Richard Wightman, was invited to the site to see for himself the progress achieved since the scheme began two years ago.

Charly Clark, project manager with contractor AMEC, said: "The project is now well advanced, and in the remaining period all resources will be put into place to ensure progress to completion."

A charity weekend - being organised by AMEC in conjunction with local Rotary clubs - is being held on July 26 and 27, when the public will have its first chance to access the new road and enjoy various events.

Activities will include classic vehicle rallies, sponsored walks, hot air balloons and horse rides.

Mr Clark said: "Amec is extremely proud to be able to support such an event which will enable money to be put into local charities.

"We hope the local community, for the first time, takes up this exciting opportunity to gain access to the Bingley Relief Road in its entirety."