Work on a housing development will make a hazardous Haworth road junction 'ten thousand times' safer, according to the plan's architect.

Haworth-based David Beighton made the claim this week in response to complaints about the proposed scheme by residents of Ivy Bank Lane.

Haworth Design and Build Partnership hopes to build 20 houses on allotment land opposite existing terraced housing on the lane.

Residents are angry that the work will involve making up the unadopted road, which is currently little more than a dirt track.

They believe the already dangerous junction with Bridgehouse Lane will become worse as more cars go in and out of the lane. And they fear the newly-surfaced lane will become clogged with tourists who want to park their cars near Haworth railway station.

Mr Beighton admits the junction, almost opposite another hazardous turn out of Belle Isle Road, is currently a 'death trap'.

But he says he has spent 18 months working with traffic consultants to devise a plan that will dramatically improve safety.

Mr Beighton says: "The road will be brought up to highways standard. We're putting pavements on both sides. It will have a proper defined junction.

"I'm flabbergasted that they're objecting. To suggest that it will be dangerous is laughable."

Mr Beighton's plan calls for the existing narrow entrance to Ivy Bank Lane to be widened to take in an adjoining private access road to a nursing home.

Several yards further up Ivy Bank Lane, a new road would veer off to the left into the new housing development, also taking cars to the nursing home.

Bradford council planning committee is due to meet next Thursday to discuss the application.

Jean Botley, of Ivy Bank Lane, fears the planned housing development could encourage other housing on the site of the adjacent derelict mill.

Neighbour Patricia Snowden, who has four children, believes Bridgehouse Lane will become even more difficult to cross if more cars go up and down Ivy Bank Lane.

Shona Blue, who lives on adjacent Pine Street, says children currently play on Ivy Bank Lane because many nearby houses do not have gardens.

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