An angry father whose son was injured by a hit-and-run driver has criticised Bradford Council for delays in introducing road safety measures on the road.

Mohammed Hussain, 13, suffered a broken arm and needed stitches to his head after he was hit by a car on a busy stretch of Killinghall Road, Laisterdyke, as he walked home from school.

He was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary on Thursday at 3pm.

Dad Abdul Haq, 42, of Maidstone Street, said it was "an accident waiting to happen" and was furious that a pedestrian crossing had not been installed earlier, as promised to residents.

Since 2003, councillors and residents have been campaigning for a pedestrian crossing on the dangerous 40mph road, between Carrington Street and Thornbury Road.

The road is regularly used by children and the elderly, who cross to go to Laisterdyke High School and Madni mosque.

Local councillor Diloar Jamal (Lib Dem, Bradford Moor) said plans for a new crossing had been scheduled for April to June 2004.

Mr Haq is now urging the Council to act before any other children are hurt.

He said: "My son was on his way from school, trying to cross the road, when a car stopped and waved him to cross. Another car then came from behind and knocked him over and sped off. All the children use that part of the road as a short cut to school. Everybody was saying he was very lucky. It could have been much more serious.

"This would not have happened if a pedestrian crossing had been in place. The car would have seen the red light from a distance. They've been talking about putting in a crossing for years but we don't seem to be getting a result."

Coun Jamal said: "The gateway project in the area to make the city attractive is all well and good but safety comes first. The traffic is horrendous on this road and action needs to be taken quickly."

Steve Thornton, principal engineer at Bradford Council, said the crossing had been marked out and work was expected to take place this weekend to construct it.

He added: "The Council is working in conjunction with the Neighbourhood Road Safety Initiative to deliver a package of road safety measures in the Bradford Moor/Barkerend area.

"These include a speed limit reduction on Killinghall Road from 40mph to 30mph and an all red pedestrian phase at the Killinghall Road/Barkerend Road/Leeds Old Road junction."

l A silver Nissan Almera hit Mohammed and then sped off. Police are appealing for witnesses to call (01274) 376459.