LATEST NEWS: Much-maligned road to finally reopen almost a year since roadworks started and seven months late

A DEVELOPER and Bradford Council say "unforeseen circumstances" have led to work, which has closed a major road for 10 months, to take much longer than initially anticipated.

Aggrieved residents have launched a petition demanding action following the lengthy closure of the Allerton Lane, Old Road and School Green junction, which links Thornton to Allerton.

The work conducted by Keepmoat Homes began last July and was originally set to be completed on October 8.

However, in January, the Telegraph & Argus was told by the Council works to improve School Green and Allerton Lane are expected to be completed in the last week in February. But work is still in progress.

Keepmoat Homes say the road should be open in the “near future”.

A spokesperson said: “We greatly appreciate the residents neighbouring Allerton Road for raising their concerns regarding the Bradford road closure.

"Due to a number of unforeseen circumstances, the timescale for the road opening has taken longer than initially anticipated, and we have since been liaising with statutory bodies to rectify the issues.

"A plan of action has been put in place to finalise the works, and we look forward to re-opening the road in the near future.”

The resident behind the petition - which is almost at its 500 signatures target - David Maud said: “The road did need widening as it was a notorious bottleneck.

“But (in the ten-month period) we have had ten weeks with no activity. This all could have been done in six months. I am absolutely sick to back of my teeth with it.

“You have to go back down Thornton to get around. It is a four-mile detour.

“With the current rise in fuel prices, this makes it especially difficult for those who use the route daily.

“There is not a lot we can do now about the time taken, but I want a full investigation about the way the Council have dictated the terms and conditions of this."

In response to the petition and the residents’ concerns, a Bradford Council spokesperson said: “We understand residents are frustrated by the protracted closure of the road caused by the developer’s delays.

"We continue to push the developer for a swifter completion.

“The date of the road closure and permit was correct. The council accommodated the developer's request to allow the road to be closed.

"The closure was put in place as advertised with a late establishment on-site by the contractor due to resource issues, not the council being premature in closing the road.

"The work has been progressing, albeit with delays caused by unforeseen site circumstances and design challenges.

"One of those challenges was the discovery of a deep hidden well beneath the main carriageway that was at risk of collapse. This meant more work was needed than originally planned.

"Further delays have been caused by third parties needing to lower, redirect and divert existing mains cables and ducts additional to those originally planned and programmed.

“Work is now running to programme, to ensure the work is completed to allow traffic to once again have access between Thornton and Allerton.

"Signed diversions have been in place through the duration of the work. We thank residents for their understanding.”