The first phase of a £7 million scheme to ease traffic congestion on one of Bradford's busiest commuter routes moves a step nearer completion next week.

New traffic lights at the top of the Odsal Top roundabout slip road and a puffin crossing at the junction of Netherlands Avenue and Huddersfield Road will be switched on next Monday.

The slip road priority signals will give improved access on to the roundabout, especially for buses, and stop traffic building up on Huddersfield Road. Bus services will benefit from a special priority signal system that will be triggered by hi-tech sensors when the bus enters the slip road. The Netherlands Avenue crossing includes a central refuge to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the dual carriageway.

The stretch of Huddersfield Road is the gateway to the A641 Manchester Road new guided bus system.

The joint venture between Bradford Council and Metro Bradford bus company, which is expected to cut big delays and improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, should be completed by the end of this year.

Since work started last November, lane restrictions have been in place and motorists have been encouraged to avoid the area by following diversion signs via Rooley Avenue, Rooley Lane and Wakefield Road. But there have still been major hold-ups at peak time.

Huddersfield Road has been resurfaced as part of the scheme's first phase which also includes a new inbound, morning peak period bus lane. This will come into operation when the new pedestrian crossing at Larch Hill, requested by local residents, has been completed.

A 24-hour bus lane being installed down the slip road from Odsal roundabout will lead into the start of the new central guided bus-way, now being built.

New traffic lights at the bottom of the Odsal slip road will give priority to buses to enable them to enter the guideway. This first, inbound-only section between Odsal and Mayo Avenue is due to be finished by the end of June, when it will be available for driver training.

The subways near Mayo Avenue and New Cross Street are being filled in and replaced by pedestrian crossings. Temporary lights will remain in place until this work is finished.

Work has started on excavating the central guideway between Mayo Avenue and St Stephen's Road and on kerbs, drains and parking improvements. Preliminary work has also begun on gas main diversions between St Stephen's Road and Croft Street.

Councillor Anne Hawkes-worth, Bradford Council's executive member for the environment, said: "Everything is going to plan and the scheme should be up and running by the end of the year.''

West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority spokes-man, Councillor John Prestage, said: "Ultimately, this A641 scheme will benefit not only bus users but should help reduce traffic congestion in the area, which will be good news for everyone using the route."