A vicar and his flock were today singing the praises of councillors, who did a U-turn over plans for yellow lines outside their Bierley church.

The vicar of St John's Church, Iain Lane, and his congregation, appealed for the scheme to be amended because of weddings, funerals, christenings and the normal church services.

They said many worshippers were elderly and infirm and would be badly affected by the lines outside the church.

The parking restrictions are part of a road safety scheme to pave the way for a multi-million pound superstore being built nearby.

But now Bradford South Area Panel has agreed to amend the scheme and keep the church access clear.

The £15 million Asda store is expected to open by the end of this year and bring 170 new jobs to the district

Mr Lane said the scheme would have created serious access problems for the Grade Two listed building.

He told ward councillors: "A few yards of yellow lining will have a serious impact on the accessibility of this significant public building and we do not see any compelling reason why the proposed arrangements cannot be modified to a mutually accessible design.

"We feel this is a reasonable request and a very modest one considering the impact of the church on successive highways schemes over the years."

Councillor John Ruding, the Council's lead member for community safety said wedding and funeral services were exempt from restrictions.

He said: "Originally the double yellow lines were meant to go down one side of the church and the other side is part of the main arterial road. We have made amendments to the scheme in line with what the objectors asked for."

Mr Lane said today he was delighted their views had been considered and acted upon.

People living in Holme Wood mounted a major campaign when Asda decided to close its Knowles Lane shop near their homes and open the superstore on Bierley Lane.

But the company has offered a free bus service to enable them to carry on shopping.

T&A Opinion

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