Motorists in Bradford are being warned to expect delays caused by roadworks on two major routes.

As one scheme in the city centre comes to an end next week, an even more disruptive project is due to get underway in the Aire Valley.

The ongoing road resurfacing work on Thornton Road, between City Road and Weetwood Road, is due to be completed by Wednesday, July 24. In the meantime, there are lane closures and temporary traffic lights between 9.30am and 6.30pm.

On Monday, contractors will start work on the Saltaire roundabout overhaul. Their main tasks are to convert the roundabout into a traffic signal controlled junction and extend the A650 inbound bus lane.

The benefits of the roadworks, which threaten six months of traffic delays, far outweigh the traffic disruption during construction, says a senior councillor.

Councillor Val Slater, executive member for planning and transport, said the work would “bring significant benefits to this major transport corridor and also help improve road safety”.

Meanwhile, traders concerned about how business may be affected are hoping shoppers will not desert them. During the work all shops and businesses will stay open and if any of the current parking spaces are affected, alternative spaces will be available nearby.

Chairman of Saltaire Traders David Ford said he and other businesses had a positive meeting with Bradford Council representatives on Tuesday night and had a hot-line to contractors during the work.

“It’s a concern. The key thing is that people need to shop in local shops. If they don’t shop in local shops for everyday good and luxury ones, there won’t be any shops.It’s a serious issue and there are concerns,” Mr Ford said.

“The key thing to both local people and people driving through, is don’t stop shopping. Keep using the local shops. We don’t want people to be put off shopping. To some extent it’s out of our power and out of the Council’s power - it’s up to local people themselves. Once people stop shopping locally, they don’t come back.”

The Council has agreed that signs advertising the work will say that businesses remain open.

“We are very confident that both the Council’s highways department and contractors are very much talking to us,” said Mr Ford, who runs Saltaire Books near the roundabout.

Changes will mean access to the roundabout from Clarence Road and Albert Road is closed to traffic. A public space between the two roads will be created, together with a one-way link road between them.

Other work will include a traffic signal controlled junction at Hirst Lane and Bingley Road, pedestrian and Toucan crossings, cycle routes, reconstruction and resurfacing of existing roads and pavements.

The Council says the work will create a safer junction for pedestrians and motorists, with more control over traffic flow.

It believes the works, alongside other related highway projects in Nab Wood and Saltaire, will mean major improvements in road safety, traffic flows and rat-running.

Coun Slater said: “We are sorry for any traffic delays and disruption to business which may occur during construction but I’m confident that everyone, including commuters, business owners, residents and visitors will be pleased with the end result.

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