A THREE car crash has closed the Bingley Bypass leading to heavy traffic.

Police say a crash involving a BMW, Fiesta and an Astra took place near the Mercure Hotel at around 11.30am.

One person is reportedly trapped in the Astra, although there are not thought to be any serious injuries.

Police are at the scene and have closed the road. Fire crews from Bingley and Shipley are in attendance as well as several ambulances.

Traffic travelling towards Bradford is affected although witnesses say it has slowly started moving.

One motorist, who was travelling from the direction of Bingley towards Cottingley, said he had been stuck at a standstill on the bypass for about 40 minutes.

He said one of the vehicles had ended up facing in the wrong direction after the collision.

"There were two ambulances and about five police cars at the scene," he said.

"The crash had happened about 300 yards from the roundabout - just before the end of the high bridge over the river."

UPDATE 12.46pm: The person who was trapped in the Astra has since been freed and taken by ambulance to Airedale Hospital. 

The road is still closed but traffic is being let through via the Ferncliffe slip road.

UPDATE 1.40pm: Police re-opened the road at 1.20pm.