Police are warning motorists to steer clear of one of Bradford's major link roads while a rail bridge repair scheme is carried out.

A team of 20 Railtrack engineers will begin work on the £1 million project at Raw Nook bridge, Cleckheaton Road, Oakenshaw, on Saturday.

With the road closed for 17 days plus four subsequent weekends, extra officers from Odsal Police are being drafted in to monitor traffic flow and enforce diversions. Two days - May 27 and 28 - have also been earmarked in case the work hasn't been finished.

"Cleckheaton Road will be closed to through traffic and will only be open for access," said Odsal Traffic Sergeant Keith Cludderay.

"This is likely to cause serious delays and we would advise drivers to leave extra time for their journeys, or avoid the area completely."

Motorists will be diverted along the A641 Huddersfield Road and A58 at Chain Bar Roundabout, or the M606 motorway.

Sgt Cludderay said: "The diversionary routes will be busy. The first week will be the most difficult in terms of traffic congestion. It will be a case of wait and see."

He said the traffic lights at Staithgate Roundabout would be altered to cope with extra vehicles coming off the M606.

Lorries are advised to use the M606 and vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes will be banned from taking shortcuts along Cliff Hollins Lane, Mill Carr Hill and Wyke Lane.

The bridge, which carries traffic over the Bradford to Halifax rail line, is corroded and has a maximum life of five years.

Bradford Council has responded to the concerns of traders, residents and commuters by producing an information leaflet.

It has also organised two surgeries for people to raise issues during the work. They will be held on Tuesdays, April 11 and 18, in the annexe at Low Moor and Oakenshaw Community Centre, Terry Road, from 5pm to 7pm. Council officials, Metro and representatives of the contractor will be on hand to answer questions.

People can also call the following helpline numbers: Railtrack on 0800 5286312, Metro on (0113) 2457676 and Bradford South area co-ordinator's office on (01274) 751155.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.