Government transport chiefs will come under fire when they are quizzed about congestion problems in and around Bradford.

Shipley MP Philip Davies has secured a meeting with Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman in January to discuss congestion caused by the Saltaire roundabout and congestion in the Aire Valley.

The Highways Agency has offered Bradford Council £800,000 to take over responsibility for the A650 - one of the district's major transport headaches - but the money is seen as a "drop in the ocean" by Mr Davies.

He said: "The amount offered is beyond inadequate to solve the problems at Saltaire roundabout and further afield."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council's executive member for the environment, will also make the trip to Westminster.

Councillors have said they won't make a decision on the A650 until after the meeting.

The Highways Agency wants the Council to take control of the road from Steeton to Frizinghall, but the Council says it will not do so unless enough cash is available to tackle congestion caused by the extra traffic generated by the Bingley relief road.

Coun Hawkesworth said: "I am hoping to get a stronger understanding from the Government about what is happening in Bradford.

"We have a mega congestion problem in the area. Saltaire roundabout is a big concern but the main problem is the Airedale link."

Council representatives would have preferred to meet with Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander, but Coun Hawkesworth said urgent action was needed and hoped Mr Ladyman could help.

An Agency study into Shipley, Saltaire and Baildon's traffic problems has come up with three possible plans, but only one - the most dramatic - is likely to ease congestion.

It involves adding traffic lights, closing two access roads into Saltaire village and closing access to Moorhead Lane except for buses.

The cost of this plan is expected to reach £565,000 including a traffic flow study and public consultation.

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