Police, community and councillor want calm at Greengates Crossroads

Greengates Crossroads, where Harrogate Road and New Line meet, has been undergoing a £12.3 million transformation since July of this year.

It is one of the busiest junctions in the city and is a major connection point between Bradford and neighbouring Leeds.

The development has been in the pipeline for many years and the hope is it will ease congestion at the crossroad.

At the start of the week beginning October 19, the process of widening the junction began.

The crossroad in its current form has a total of three lanes at each of the four points - two approaching the junction and one leaving the junction.

The widening work has meant dropping all four points to two lanes (from three) - one approaching and one leaving the junction.

There is also a four-way traffic system in place, which has increased congestion in the area.

Howard Civil Engineering, the company carrying out the works, outlined in the latest of its weekly newsletters on Friday that these traffic management measures would continue throughout the Christmas period.

The increase in traffic and long queues, at an already busy location, has led to rising frustrations among motorists.

There has been growing concern among members of the public about the behaviour of some drivers, who have been spotted flouting laws of the road, or making dangerous manoeuvres to escape the long lines, or bypass the congestion entirely.

Harrogate Road leading up to the crossroad from Apperley Bridge is where many of the issues arise.

In the last few years, the road has been expanded to two lanes to spread out traffic.

This then merges into one lane for going straight on, or turning left, with the second lane then only to be used by those turning right.

Mandy Stevens, of Bateson Street, was caught in a 30-minute queue from The Stansfield Arms, at Apperley Bridge, up to the crossroad when she spotted several dangerous situations.

She said: "I witnessed at least three people go around the traffic lights near the Dog and Gun, driving on the wrong side of the road, to avoid queuing.

"If a car had been coming or a pedestrian crossing they would have had no chance.

"Many other cars overtook the queue on the pretence they were turning right at the Dog and Gun and then cut into the queue, wreaking havoc.

"I also witnessed several people stationary in the yellow boxes, blocking entrances and exits to various estates on Harrogate Road.

"Finally I witnessed a road rage incident where an individual got out of his car and started shouting and gesticulating at the driver of a lorry behind him.

"Not satisfied with this he then climbed up on to the lorry to try to get to the driver and was banging on the cab."

Mrs Stevens said she's not the only one who is worried an accident may arise from this and feels clear signage giving exact details of the road situation needs to be implemented.

She added: "When people start to realise what's happening before it's happened, they start to make dangerous manoeuvres.

"I'm not on my own, so many people are coming through here and they're all seeing it.

"I do think it will get worse as lockdown starts to ease, at some point, and obviously it will be more difficult on the roads."

Michael Frazer, Secretary of the Friends of Greengates Cenotaph, said: "Residents are increasingly concerned that pedestrians, including children, are at risk of drivers taking illegal and excessive risks to avoid queuing approaching Greengates junction and would like to see police install signposted CCTV to deter anti-social activity.

"This junction upgrade continues until Autumn 2021 and remedial measures are needed now."

West Yorkshire Police outlined the force is continually looking for ways to make roads safer and already has Operation Steerside running, and a newly launched system for dashcam footage submissions, to tackle anti-social and dangerous driving.

Superintendent Steve Greenbank, of Bradford District Police, said: “We support this campaign to tackle anti-social use of the roads in this area in Bradford.

"The Greengates Crossroad area is a very high volume area for traffic and particularly at the moment due to road works in the area.

“We are continuously looking at ways to prevent death and serious injuries on our road network.

"We treat all instances of dangerous and anti-social driving extremely seriously across the Bradford District.

"Drivers can put their lives and the lives of others at risk with this type of driving."

Howard Civil Engineering also urged people to report any dangerous or illegal manoeuvres to police.

The company said in its latest newsletter: "We are aware that a small number of road users are making dangerous manoeuvres around the traffic management measures which jeopardise the safety of others."

Councillor Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem and Independent Group, Idle and Thackley) has thrown his support behind the campaign.

He has urged people to keep their minds focused on the long term outcome of the development.

The councillor said: "The improvement and changes at the junction a long-awaited and in the long term will give huge benefits.

"It was always going to be the case that it was difficult and there would be lots of delays happening.

"I support the idea of people being patient and courteous at all times when driving, particularly at times like this more so.

"I'm surprised, but I guess its inevitable - when everybody is under pressure and stress, it's doubly hard to do.

"But bear in mind the improvements will benefit a lot of people."