A £25,000 scheme to help pedestrians safely cross a dangerous road has been branded as "too little, too late" by worried residents.

The scheme, to help pedestrians cross the Aire Valley trunk road between Silsden and Steeton, will include road markings for motorists approaching a roundabout, pedestrian crossing points and a cycle path. Work on the project is due to start later this month.

But Silsden resident and cyclist Mike Shaw said: "I get the impression that the improvements are largely cosmetic. It's certainly going to be better than nothing but that's about all.

"The pathway for cyclists and pedestrians is not going to have any priority at all. The traffic will still have right of way.

"You will still have to play Russian roulette to get across. It's still going to be a dangerous road and a dangerous roundabout."

But David Emmott, chairman of Silsden and Eastburn parish council and Craven Ward Councillor, said: "I think these are good measures and will do the job they are supposed to do and slow down traffic.

"When people try to cross that road at the moment they take their life into their own hands. If you manage to get halfway across you can be waiting there for another five minutes."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency, said: "Safety is our number one priority. We have taken into consideration the views of residents in the area and as a result we have arrived at this scheme which we believe is going to improve safety at this roundabout."

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