Victorious road campaigners are celebrating today after winning a 15-month battle to persuade Bradford Council to carry out improvements at an accident black-spot.

Highways bosses have finally agreed to alter the road layout in Hebden Road, Haworth, at its junction with Brow Top Road at a cost of around £40,000.

There have been three accidents at the junction in the last five weeks - the last on Monday when two cars collided. Nobody was seriously injured.

Residents are now to be consulted about the plan which is likely to involve narrowing sections of Hebden Road, widening the pavement to slow down traffic, and altering the junction to allow better visibility.

Rose Greenwell, from Haworth Road Safety Action group, who has spearheaded the campaign, said today: "Common sense has prevailed. We are happy with what has been planned but we hope the Council will now get on with the work quickly.

"We have been saying for over a year that the junction was dangerous and our claims have been justified with three accidents in five weeks."

The group launched their campaign when Bradford Council started its £6 million scheme to repair Hebden Road, which was threatening to crumble away into the valley.

They wanted highway chiefs to get on with improving the junction at the same time as the road repair scheme, which involved closing the road for more than a year.

Council highway chiefs last year drew up a plan which involved narrowing Hebden Road by constructing "build-outs" to slow down traffic and altering the layout of the junction with Brow Top Road.

But councillors said there was no money in the budget to carry out the scheme at the same time as the multi-million pound Hebden Road repair project.

Councillor Mike Young (Lab/Worth Valley), who has been supporting the campaigners, said: "I'm glad that priority has been given to getting on with the work. It will be of great benefit to local people."

Residents will have to be consulted because part of the proposals involve banning parking in Hebden Road.

He added: "The proposals must be advertised and local people consulted. Some people might object but we hope to get on with the work in this financial year."

The action group refused to accept that the safety measures could not be undertaken this year and disrupted the opening of the newly-repaired Hebden Road on March 7.

Dozens of banner-waving protesters blocked the path of officials and councillors as they attempted to cut the ribbon to open the road.

As a result they won a promise from Councillor Latif Darr, chairman of the highways and transportation committee, to meet Mrs Greenwell at her home to discuss their grievances.

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