A NOTORIOUS accident blackspot is to be made safer in a series of improvements including an anti-skid road surface.

Bosses at the Highways Agency have pledged to upgrade the A660 at Old Pool Bank - known as the infamous 'Bar House corner' - following pressure from parish and city councillors.

Liberal Democrat councillor and Lord Mayor of Leeds Graham Kirkland has made repeated pleas to the Government body - responsible for maintaining trunk roads - to improve the road which has been the scene of several accidents.

He said: "The work is long overdue. Bar House bends has always been a danger point on the the A660."

Improvements will include:

l A new anti-skid road

surface.

l New chevron boards.

l Replacing damaged lamp standards.

Pool-in-Wharfedale Parish Council has also campaigned for improvements to be made and this week welcomed the news. Vice-chairman Hazel Lee, who is also a member of the Otley and District road safety committee, said: "I am delighted by this, it's really good news.

"They have repaired the fencing already and I'm pleased they are going to do more work."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said a contract had just been awarded for the work which could start within the next few weeks.

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