A NARROW road in Silsden is being plagued by mudslides and floods.

Motorists using the bottom end of Hainsworth Road say they have to contend with a number of hazards.

Now council highways bosses have built dykes at the side of the road in a bid to solve the problem.

Residents say the problems have been caused by council workmen who killed off roadside vegetation, creating mudslides.

"Until last year it was a lovely lane which people used to enjoy walking up, but now it's just a mud bath," said resident Judith Leach. "What's happened has made it totally unpleasant."

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said floodwater was often level with car headlights.

"All the water from the fields runs down into that road and the drains are full so they can't carry the water away," he said.

And fellow resident Helen Ball added: "I've seen people standing in the floodwater and it's been up to their thighs.

"But it's not just an access road for the residents, people enjoy using it because it is a quiet, safe place to walk."

Mrs Ball added that motorists often faced further problems, as the road was very narrow and called for passing places.

A spokesman for Bradford Council's highways department said: "We have recently repaired the road surface and during the past month and have created dykes at certain points along the road to try to ease the flooding problem caused by water running off the fields.

"Vegetation was cut back at the roadside following complaints, but we don't believe this has made the flooding worse.

"We have not received a request for passing places, but we will refer this to the Keighley Area Panel for consideration."

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