Residents in Idle are celebrating news that a danger junction is earmarked for improvements.

They have been campaigning from more than a year to recruit a crossing patrol volunteer at the junction - but no-one will take it on because it's too dangerous.

Tomorrow members of Bradford Council's highways sub-committee are expected to approve a scheme to spend £12,000 on the junction of High Street, Butt Lane, New Street and The Green.

And work to extend the pavement and restricting parking could be started within months.

Idle and Thackley Community Council chairman Margaret Ryder said the dangers facing children going to and from Thorpe Middle School could soon be over.

"It is brilliant news," she said. "It just reflects the work that a lot of people have put in through the community council to get it sorted out.

"The junction is very dangerous and it's a nightmare for parents whose children are going backwards and forwards to school.

"I am hopeful there might be a better possibility of getting a school crossing patrol volunteer once the pavement has been extended and the junction has been made safer.

"People have told me there is no way they would do the job with things as they are because they have to walk right out into the road to see if anything is coming."

Last month the T&A told how resident Colin Brear had produced leaflets appealing for a patrol volunteer after he witnessed a young boy escape serious injury by inches while trying to cross the road.

Mr Brear, whose son Matthew goes to the school, said there had been no response to the latest drive to recruit a school crossing patrol.

"Anything that may help to make it a safer area to cross makes a big difference," he said.

"If the junction is improved it may encourage someone to volunteer for the job."

Ann Ozolins, chairman of the governors at Thorpe Middle School, said: "Hopefully now the pavement is going to be extended we will be able to get a lollipop man and make crossing the road safer for everyone.

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