Oxenhope pub owner Gerald Smith says confusing road signs put up by Bradford council could put him out of business.

Mr Smith, who runs the Waggon & Horses Inn, at Dyke Nook, has joined forces with five other local businesses to try to get Bradford council to pull down some of the road closure signs on Hebden Bridge Road between Oxenhope village and Brow Top Road.

They say they are losing money and the council has offered them no compensation since the mammoth road-works operation began in January. They are not due to be completed until next January.

A solicitor has been employed to investigate the matter on their behalf.

Mr Smith says: "We have had lots of meetings with the council about the problem but nothing has been done to help us. There are too many signs saying the road is closed and people are taking notice of them. But where we are situated the road isn't closed."

The Waggon & Horses is situated at the far end of Oxenhope village and can be got to from Hebden Bridge or by going into Oxenhope using minor routes. The pub can also be reached from Haworth by going along Sun Street and Marsh Lane where there are signs encouraging residents' use only.

This, says Mr Smith, is what is contributing to his big loss of trade as people visiting the area are unaware that the pub can be reached using these two roads.

Mr Smith says: "The signs aren't clear enough and they're killing us. We've all had to lay staff off. The council has managed to divert 2,500 vehicles away from the road and that's where our business has gone. We want it made clear that some of us will definitely go out of business very soon unless some of the signs are taken down and Sun Street is opened up to more vehicles."

He says his business is down about £1,600 compared to this time last year and the future looks bleak.

Cllr Latif Darr, chairman of Bradford council's transportation, planning and design committee, says: "We are sympathetic about any adverse effect on businesses caused by the closure of Hebden Road. We will do all we can to help the businesses and will consider any sensible suggestions about alternative routes.

"But we also have to bear in mind the need to reduce the amount of traffic in this area while the reconstruction work is being carried out.'

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