Work finally set to begin - a year after lights went up (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Work finally set to begin - a year after lights went up

7:00am Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Chris Young, T&A Reporter

Works to fully re-open a stretch of road near Oakworth will finally begin next month – 16 months after temporary lights and traffic cones were first installed.
In late 2011 Bradford Council installed the lights, generator, and cones blocking off a stretch of road where Hob Cote Lane becomes Harehills Lane, between Oakworth and Oldfield.
A stone retaining wall along the side of the road became loose, which could possibly lead to the road collapsing down a steep embankment. Works to strengthen it would require part of the rural road to be closed off.
Temporary traffic lights were installed, closing one lane along the stretch of the problem wall, but the works never started. Now the Council has said the long promised works will finally begin in early April.
As time has passed, the lights have operated intermittently, leaving drivers to their own devices, and many ignore them even when they are working.
A spokesman from the Council said: “Work will start on the scheme to repair the retaining wall at the start of April.”
Coun Russell Brown has been calling for work to start for over a year, but said both local councillors and residents were left in the dark. He said: “We’re pleased that they have given a start date - hopefully it will go ahead. For residents and road users there has been a total lack of information on why it is taking so long. I think if they only kept people informed then people would be more understanding. I think it has just been bumped down in favour of more critical works.
“It is got to the point now where people are just ignoring the lights. I drive there every day, and 30 per cent of the time the lights aren’t working, so drivers have to make it up themselves. Even when they are working many people just ignore the red lights.
“I’m surprised there hasn’t been an accident on there. It must cost them to have the lights out there all this time.
“I’m concerned by the complete lack of information. I have a good relationship with the highways department, but in this case there has been an information black hole.”
Peter Corkindale, representing Oakworth on Keighley Town Council, said: “I’m delighted they are actually going ahead with it.
“People drive on that road quite regularly and the fact it has taken so long has caused quite a lot of anger in the area. Fingers crossed it happens.”