SIR - The traffic situation on the A650 in the Saltaire area is intolerable, and only likely to get much worse.

It is therefore difficult to understand how the Council's Head of Major Works can recommend that the road be "de-trunked", with responsibility passing to Bradford Council.

How can it make sense for such a busy road, which has seen traffic flow increase by 24 per cent over the last few years, not be the responsibility of the Highways Agency, which acts under the control of the Department of Transport?

None of the suggested improvement options will have any significant effect on traffic flow.

A tunnel from Cottingley to the east of Shipley would seem to be the only way in which the area can be relieved of its ever increasing problem on a permanent basis.

This sort of solution can only be agreed and funded by the Government. As such, it would be a nonsense for Bradford Council to accept control of this road, and accept the pittance the Highways Agency has offered.

The A650 is a trunk road of major importance, and it really should not be relegated to a local road controlled by the Council.

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon