Bradford Council is under fire over a decision which left an MP embarrassed and residents complaining that their street is a deathtrap.

The row erupted after it became clear the authority is preparing to backtrack on a decision to widen roads in Hanover Square, off Manning-ham Lane, after costs more than doubled from estimates.

Bradford West area committee approved the scheme to improve emergency vehicle access on the basis it would cost £12,000.

But committee members will be advised to scrap it tomorrow after a detailed survey revealed the true cost to be more than £25,000.

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh had been told by the Council the work would go ahead, and wrote to residents telling them so.

He only learned of its withdrawal by accident. He said: "It causes me some embarrassment, but really it is letting the citizens of Bradford down. The Council are the ones who said it was going to happen.

"They promised in June last year, so why has it taken so long to find out how much it will cost? They have made a commitment and they should uphold that commitment.

"This is a life-threatening situation. Is the Council going to carry the responsibility if something goes wrong?"

Aurang Zeb, who has lived in Hanover Square for ten years, said emergency vehicles had trouble entering and leaving the square because the roads were so narrow.

He said: "If there is a fire, the brigade won't get through - even the dustbin lorry never comes in and we have to carry our bags to the main street, Manningham Lane.

"This has been a problem for quite some time. The Council said they were going to do the work, and if anybody dies they will be responsible."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire Service admitted Hanover Square could pose difficulties for its crews.

He said: "There are problems but they are not insurmountable. Any problems seem to be exacerbated by the way people park their cars there. But we will be happy to meet residents of the square if they have any particular concerns."

A Bradford Council spokesman said Mr Singh should have been informed of the decision earlier and said the original cost estimate failed to take into account the area's conservation status.

He said: "When the committee chose the scheme our officers went into a detailed design and the costs started to escalate because a wall that would need to be removed would need to be replaced in the same form."