BRADFORD Council has taken legal action to force Network Rail to repair a collapsed wall which has caused months of misery for commuters driving through Shipley.

Shipley MP Philip Davies has fought for action since the problem began in January when a stone wall beside the pavement on Otley Road approaching the busy Valley Road junction fell away.

The council made the area safe by blocking off the nearside lane of the Bradford-bound carriageway.

But then followed a dispute between landowners Network Rail, its tenants, DB Schenker and further tenants the recycling firm Crossley Evans Ltd about who was responsible for any repairs.

"Bradford have been slow off the mark, in my view," said Mr Davies, who has an email from highways chiefs stating Network Rail now has three months to act.

"It's been months with everybody blaming everybody else and meantime the road has been completely clogged up.

"Another three months is unacceptable," Mr Davies said.

Ward councillor for Shipley Kevin Warnes said he was glad the Council had gone down the legal route to guarantee action.

"I'm glad we've taken that option, because it's got so frustrating.

"The knock-on effect of this stretch of collapsed wall has been misery for thousands of peoples as they try to drive in and out of Bradford," Cllr Warnes said.

He added council highways bosses were working on changes to the road layout.

"The idea is to take over one of the two lanes heading away from Bradford, as the main problem seems to be for early morning commuters, whereas people leaving work in the evenings travel at more flexible times," Cllr Warnes said.

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “We can confirm that we have served a 30-day notice on Network Rail to get the wall repaired as soon as possible because of the problems further delays are causing for travellers.

“We will continue to work with the company at senior level to try and resolve the issue.

“In the meantime we are in discussions with ward councillors, examining ways of altering the existing traffic arrangements so that congestion can be reduced in the morning rush hour.

“Details of the scheme have not been finalised, but we are working hard to come up with a solution which will be announced and implemented as soon as we are certain that it will work properly.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Under the terms of their lease agreement with Network Rail for the Former Goods Yard off Otley Road, the repairs to this wall are the responsibility of DB Schenker.

"However DB Schenker has advised this obligation has been passed to their sub tenant, Crossley Evans . We cannot accept the safety risk posed by the current situation and have requested DB Schenker’s proposals to resolve the situation as a matter of urgency.”