The Government has been urged to make sure Bradford does not shoulder the costs of tackling traffic congestion caused by the Bingley Relief road.

And a solution to problems on the A650 Saltaire roundabout look as far away as ever with no agreement in sight about how to improve the situation for residents.

Shipley's Conservative MP Philip Davies is concerned the Highways Agency, which runs the relief road up to the roundabout, will hand responsibility back to Bradford Council before a solution is found.

The £47.9 million relief road which opened in December 2003 is at the centre of a dispute between the Highways Agency, which wants to see it de-trunked, and the Council, which says it should continue to be maintained by the Agency. The Council, like Mr Davies, believes any work to sort out the problems should be paid for by the Agency.

An extra 2,000 vehicles a day are using Saltaire roundabout as a result of the opening of the Bingley Relief Road, causing major queues on the A650 and the A657 in Nab Wood and Saltaire.

Andrew Cotson, of Cotson Reddish insurance brokers, Albert Road, said: "The congestion provides a lot of comment from customers. The opening of the relief road had made a massive difference.

"You can ask anyone or stand outside for a view of the volume of traffic. But it's not just volume, it's the type of traffic. The volume and type of traffic here is not consistent with a World Heritage Site.

"Because the relief road is such a good route, HGV drivers are willing to put up with a delay at Saltaire to use it and then get out to the north-west.

"I'm not against the relief road, it's an impressive piece of engineering, but it has moved a problem from Bingley down to Saltaire and on to Shipley."

Nanette Brinble, of George Street, said: "We bought our house six months ago despite the traffic problems. We hoped it might be re-routed.

"The traffic on Saltaire Road is crazy. It's only a small road. It seems a shame to cut the village in half with heavy traffic."

Ramila Lad, of The Spa, Titus Street, said she did not see a major problem with traffic rat-running through her section of the village to cut out snarl-ups on Saltaire Road.

Mr Davies, said: "I want the Government to give a commitment that the agency will pay for a solution to the problem before it hands responsibility over to the Council.

"It would simply not be acceptable for it to cut and run. Surely the Government cannot think it is right for local taxpayers to pick up the tab to sort out a mess that has been caused by the Highways Agency."

But in a written parliamentary answer, roads minister Stephen Ladyman confirmed what has already been reported in the Telegraph & Argus.

He said: "The Highways Agency is in discussion with City of Bradford Council to address concerns over detrunking the A629/A650 route.

"One of the issues being considered is the congestion at Saltaire roundabout. A joint study into the issue has been agreed."

Mr Davies said he was not satisfied with Mr Ladyman's response and would be writing for an assurance from the Government that it would deal with Saltaire roundabout's problems before handing control of Bingley relief road to the Council.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, member with the environment portfolio, said: "We do not wish to become entrenched because we have got to sort out the problems associated with the relief road.

"The Highways Agency should have looked at the issues in advance of opening the relief road. When they did the bypass it was obvious that there would be problems at both ends."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "We have had discussions with the Highways Agency about the joint study but it is still at an initial stage. Details of cost and content have yet to be finalised."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "An initial meeting has been held between the Highways Agency and Bradford Council to discuss the study. Further discussions will be required to agree a timetable and terms of reference."