A school extension desperately needed as part of Bradford district's schools shake-up is set to go ahead - despite fears it could cause traffic chaos.

Queensbury Upper School needs to expand to accommodate 600 more pupils in September under the area's schools reorganisation.

But residents fear the extra traffic it will bring down Deanstones Lane, the school's main access road, will cause chaos.

"Deanstones Lane is a narrow road which has to cope with a large amount of traffic including wagons and lorries," said Queensbury's Councillor Andrew Smith.

"This is partly because the road is the only vehicular access to the school and a small business site."

Coun Smith said the village was heading for gridlock with more and more traffic piling onto smaller roads.

He said he would be campaigning for an assessment to be made of what improvements could be made to Deanstones Lane.

"There is also a greater problem because all the schools in Queensbury are to be expanded due to large scale housing development and the schools reorganisation," added Coun Smith.

"Queensbury will be heading for a total gridlock and I will be urging the Highways Department to commence an in-depth review of all the road systems within Queensbury."

However, Bradford Council planners have earmarked the proposal for approval.

Queensbury Upper will expand from just over 900 pupils to more than 1,400 pupils in September as part of the schools reorganisation.

If given the go-ahead, the extra pupils are set to be accommodated in a new three storey extension to the main building which will be built on top of existing tennis courts.

It is also planned to enhance the sports hall and dining room as well as build a new car park.

Planning officers confirmed objections had been received about congestion on Deanstones Lane and admitted traffic would be an issue.

However, officers said plans to alter access to the school would actually improve the flow of traffic along the lane by creating turning drop off points within the school grounds.

The plan has been recommended for approval, but will go before the Planning Committee on Thursday for the final decision.

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