ANYONE who has travelled to South Craven during the evening rush hour will have noticed the increasingly appalling traffic congestion near Kildwick roundabout.

The source of the problems is the level crossing at Cross Hills, which, when closed, causes the traffic to queue back to the Aire Valley road and beyond.

The result? Gridlock and impatient motorists attempting dangerous manoeuvres in order to inch forward.

But it is not just commuters who are being tested to the limit. This is the main road to Steeton's Airedale General Hospital - the district's main emergency centre.

Now local councillors and residents are saying enough is enough.

A special meeting of North Yorkshire County Council's Craven Area Committee has been called on Tuesday to thrash out a way forward.

Some years ago it was suggested that a new link road be built between the Dalesway Junction and the Aire Valley road with a bridge over the railway.

But the plan has not got past the talking stage. It seems officials found it hard to secure Government money because it did not offer a particularly good economic return on investment.

But what is the price of a life? Every second counts with a seriously ill patient on the way to hospital. And the idling engines of stationary traffic cannot be good for the health of nearby residents.

Action is needed now.

We urge local residents to attend the meeting in Glusburn Institute and demand a solution is found as a matter of urgency.