Highways bosses have been accused of trying to buy off' Bradford Council on the cheap in a continuing row over who takes responsibility for the traffic-choked A650.

The Telegraph & Argus can exclusively reveal today that the Government's Highways Agency has offered a £800,000 sweetener' to the Council so it can wash its hands of one the district's major transport headaches.

But a senior councillor has warned that the cash offer is a "drop in the ocean" of what is required to alleviate congestion at bottlenecks like Saltaire roundabout - and it could leave the authority with a multi-million bill.

The Highways Agency response comes after consultants carried out a confidential study into the massive traffic problems on the road between the Bingley Relief Road at Cottingley Bar, Saltaire and Shipley. The report, to be made public later this week, has identified what needs to be done to tackle safety and congestion - but the cost is expected to run into millions.

The Government's plans to de-trunk' the road would mean the responsibility for its maintenance would be passed on to the Council.

But it also means the Council would be responsible for solving the existing traffic problems which have been exacerbated by the opening of the £47.4 million relief road three years ago.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the executive member for the environment, said: "I would be loathe to accept the responsibility for the road without the money to go with it.

"The Highways Agency report more or less says that we can play around with little things as far as Saltaire is concerned but this will have little effect on congestion.

"There is mention of a gyratory - but even that is fraught with problems.

"The figure it is offering is an absolute drop in the ocean. It will cost millions to fix.

"This corridor is one of the major routes through the district and is key to its regeneration.

"Clearly something must be done about congestion and traffic on that road. The question is what, and who will pay for it?

"The Highways Agency and the Government cannot just walk away from the issue - we need their firm commitment to financing what is likely to be a major engineering project."

The Council's decision-making executive has already resolved to maintain its objection until the Government makes the funding available.

At its meeting on Tuesday, September 19, the executive will consider whether to remove this objection - but is likely to stick to its guns.

Committee members will also consider plans for a Shipley Eastern Link Road and improvements to Canal Road which have been outlined in the Airedale masterplan.

Coun Hawkesworth said: "The executive must consider whether this potential funding is sufficient to make the improvements needed and whether it is willing to take on the responsibility for the road in its current state."

A petition calling on the Government to provide the funding needed was handed over in the House of Commons in July.

Mum-of-three Rachel Adamson collected more than 400 signatures of residents and workers in the Saltaire area who are fed up of the constant hold-ups and dangers at the roundabout.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "We are looking at providing funding for improvements at Saltaire and we hope to be able to confirm whether this will be made available later this year."

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