Motorists have been warned to expect major delays and road closures on one of the district’s busiest routes during six months of roadworks.

Work starts this month on a programme to improve congestion on the Saltaire roundabout, one of the main commuter routes through Shipley.

The roundabout will be completely removed during the works, replaced with traffic lights. The programme, which should be finished by January, will see access to the junction from Clarence Road and Albert Road closed off, turning the six way junction into a four way one.

A new one-way link road will link these two roads.

Bradford Council has apologised to motorists in advance for the delay, and described the works as being essential to improve the town’s traffic flow. Those who use the route have been urged show patience, and find different routes if possible.

The full plans for the road will be on display at an exhibition on Thursday, where officers will answer any questions about the project.

A Council spokesman assured residents the works would be worth it. He said: “Coupled with the other related highway projects currently being implemented in Nab Wood and Saltaire, the residents of the Shipley area are expected to experience major improvements in road safety, traffic flows and reductions in rat-running.

“The scheme also includes improvements for bus passengers with the extension of the bus lane back to the Bankfield roundabout and priority signals at the junction.”

Coun Val Slater, executive member for transport, said: “We would like to apologise in advance for the disruption during these essential works but I know that in the long-term, drivers, pedestrians and residents of the area will appreciate the outcome.

“A great deal of thought has gone into this project and our engineers have worked very hard to devise a scheme which solves the problems caused by the roundabout at present.

“It will bring significant benefits to this major transport corridor and also help improve road safety at the junction. We believe that the benefits far outweigh the difficulties traffic will experience during the construction phase.”

Thursday’s exhibition takes place in the Glen Room at Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Saltaire between 2pm and 8pm. Highways officers will be there with diagrams to explain the issues involved and describe the works.