AN angry MP and residents have called for Bradford Council to install a temporary pelican crossing at a "death trap" road junction.

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain has written to the council to call for the installation of a crossing and filter lights for turning traffic at the junction of Harrogate Road and New Line, in Greengates.

The busy junction is used by school children but has no dedicated facilities available for pedestrians.

Between 2007 and 2012, there were 23 accidents at this junction resulting in 35 injuries, including two serious injuries. The lack of dedicated facilities is also a barrier to walking and cycling, it is claimed.

The junction carries key commuter routes linking Bradford, Harrogate, Shipley, Keighley, Leeds and Leeds Bradford International Airport.

But Bradford Council said a temporary measure at the junction is "not feasible" and would cause major disruption.

Resident Phil Robertson, 43, of The Grove, Greengates, has warned someone will be killed at the location.

He said: "It's a death trap. It's only a matter of time before someone is killed there.

"I have witnessed so many near accidents and spoken to so many local residents who are too scared to cross here.

"There are ambulance and police cars there all of the time.

"As a father-of-four, I will no longer allow my children to use the junction and am anxious about crossing there myself.

"There is never a time when it is safe for pedestrians to cross."

West Yorkshire Transport Fund's gateway one review includes improvements to Harrogate Road/New Line Junction.

The improvement project is expected to be complete by December 2017.

The report said: "Improvements to the Harrogate Road/New Line junction will improve traffic flows and reduce congestion on both the A658 and A657, improve access to Leeds Bradford International Airport and to the new rail station at Apperley Bridge."

Mr Robertson and Mr Hussain saw the volume of traffic at the junction for themselves during a visit on Saturday.

Mr Hussain said: "I know that the new plans will incorporate safety measures for pedestrians, but they are not due to be completed until the end of next year.

"This is far too long to wait for safety measures in the area and I am concerned that serious injuries or worse could happen in the meantime.

"I have therefore written to Bradford Council demanding the installation of temporary pelican crossings and filter lights for turning traffic."

A Bradford Council Highways spokesman said: "We are aware of Mr Hussain's concerns and have provided him with a detailed response.

"A temporary measure for this section of road, such as a pelican crossing, would not be feasible due to the age of the existing signal equipment and available space.

"Extensive work would be required to achieve this, including widening the entire junction, which would cause major disruption.

"The estimated cost of such works is £1.2 million to £2m. This would potentially exceed the council's current annual Integrated Transport Block funding for the entire district of £1.9m.

"In view of the amount of work required, the timescale for the delivery of an interim measure would not be significantly less than the full planned improvement scheme."