Frustrated motorists still face major delays on congested Manchester Road - and it could get worse.

Bradford Council has just agreed to a 12th pedestrian crossing for the multi-million-pound bus route on the major artery into the city.

But the first detailed traffic surveys since the £12 million scheme was opened a year ago say the 11 crossings - replacing just three on the road prior to the guided bus lane - have lengthened waiting times for cars and non-peak buses.

Officer Ian Gallacher will tell Bradford South area panel on Thursday: "Vehicles stopping may lose the green wave and be subsequently delayed at the next signalled junction."

But members will be told bus use has increased by up to 13 per cent on some parts of the state-of-the-art scheme, one of the first in Britain.

Mr Gallacher will report that actual traffic levels have fallen on Manchester Road, as drivers have switched to busy Wakefield Road and Little Horton Lane, increasing congestion on those roads instead.

There have also been increases on Southfield Road, St Enoch's Road, Rooley Avenue and Rooley Lane - but a reduction on Mayo Avenue. Traffic levels have also grown "significantly" on Netherlands Avenue.

But Mr Gallacher will tell members that the introduction of traffic calming has reduced peak-time traffic on many minor roads including Bolling Road, St Stephen's Road and Park-way. Levels have also fallen on Cleckheaton Road at Odsal Top.

He described the bus scheme as a success because of increased use of public transport and better facilities for pedestrians.

"This has been achieved with small increases in journey times for general traffic and without any significant transfer of traffic to the minor road network," he said.

But he warned that increased traffic in Netherlands Avenue is a cause for concern and measures may be needed to reduce through traffic.

The 11 crossings are between Netherlands Avenue and Croft Street and the new traffic light-controlled puffin will link Marshfield Street with Baxandall Street.

The work is due to start next month and will take eight weeks. It will make 14 sets of lights in total.

A stretch of guideway from St Stephen's Road to Mayo Avenue will be closed. But to avoid delays to bus services, a temporary bus-only lane will be provided from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Khadim Hussain, operations director of First bus company, said the crossings were necessary for the safety of the public. The new managing director of First, Mick Herdman, has said he wants to extend the guided-bus route and build on its success.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Roads are for drivers and pedestrians. Some drivers have said the flow is better because the buses are no longer on the road."

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