A WARD councillor in Bradford has expressed his relief about the closure of the much-maligned subway on Wakefield Road, saying that residents alleged it had been used for supposedly dubious activities.

Cllr Imran Khan (Labour, Bowling and Barkerend) said the highway improvement works to Wakefield Road would be well received by those in his ward, who regularly bring its unsuitability up in his surgeries.

A Bradford Council press release confirmed the £1m roundabout project, at the junction of Neville Road and New Hey Road, is going to plan and will be finished on time and within budget.

It will reduce journey times, improve traffic flows, and make the road safer will be completed this summer, thanks to careful management by the council and its contractors.

The disliked subways have been filled in and will be replaced with two new pedestrian crossings. The work to fill in the roundabout and subway started at the end of January and a temporary pedestrian crossing has been installed.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Cllr Khan said: "I'm excited by the development as it has been a long time coming.

"A number of people coming to my surgeries have raised concerns about the subway. They said it wasn't safe for walking in and that odd residents may have been using it in a way they weren't supposed to.

"Filling in the subway and creating two crossings will have a major impact on Wakefield Road and make it safer to cross.

"I'm grateful that Bradford Council have gone ahead with the development as there was a lot of local support for it."

New kerbs and surfacing work are also progressing as planned, and green landscaping including planting shrubs and 15 trees has started.

Highly efficient LED street lighting will be installed shortly.

Wakefield Road will be closed from Dudley Hill roundabout up to the Bowling Back Lane roundabout from 7pm on Friday, July 12 to 6am on Monday, July 15, and 7pm on Friday, July 19 to 6am on Monday, July 22.

The authority has been talking to local residents, businesses and emergency services, and access will be coordinated during the closures.

Alternative bus arrangements have been organised for services operating along the route and clear diversion signs will redirect motorists during the works.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “This major project will deliver significant benefits including shorter journey times and better road safety.

“It will also make the area greener and more attractive and the new LEDs will improve the street lighting.

“We are pleased the project is progressing well. Well-designed highways have broader positive impacts including boosting housing development and economic growth, and enhancing people’s wellbeing.”