Motorists are being warned of disruption this summer when work gets under way to stop one of the district's busiest roads collapsing.

Thousands of motorists travel through Baildon on the bumpy A6038 Otley Road each day but Bradford Council says surveys have revealed severe structural defects and an urgent need for reconstruction work.

The project will involve rebuilding the road's foundations, resurfacing, replacing kerbs and footways and the installation of drains.

The £750,000 project is due to be carried out in three six-week phases with work on the first - covering a 600-metre section between Baildon Road and the railway bridge - due to begin on July 19.

Phases two and three - covering the bridge to Briar Rhydding and Briar Rhydding to Hoyle Court Road - are set to be done during the summers of 2000 and 2001 respectively.

Council project manager Keith Escritt said over the years water from higher ground towards the river had washed away material under the highway, creating voids which had led to areas of settlement and unevenness.

The work has been scheduled to coincide with the school summer holidays - when there will be less traffic on the roads at peak times - to minimise disruption.

Mr Escritt admitted: "It will cause severe delays but we anticipate having signs warning of the works and advising people to take alternative routes as far away as the end of the M606 and Burley-in-Wharfedale - for example those going towards Ilkley from Bradford, who might normally use Otley Road, will be advised to use Harrogate Road and go through Greengates."

Coun Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East), deputy chairman of Bradford transportation committee, said: "I use the road on a regular basis and as a bus driver can speak first-hand about the discomfort caused to passengers. I'm pleased the Council is now in a position to carry out this reconstruction work and take that discomfort away.''

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