Villagers have called for urgent action to make safe a dangerous junction on a country lane.

The corner of Haworth Road and Old Allen Road in Harecroft, near Wilsden, has long been regarded as an accident blackspot by locals.

In the latest in a string of accidents, a street lamp was demolished by a car, making the already gloomy road even darker and more hazardous at night.

Residents are now urging Bradford Council to replace the light without delay before the junction claims a life.

But they have been told that they will have to wait several weeks for a new lamp.

Martin Harrison, chairman of Wilsden Village Society, said: "It's a T-junction and it's a blind junction to the right because of a farmhouse that stands on the corner so it's one of those where basically you have to hope that there's nothing coming and edge out very carefully.

"It must be horrendous when you have to use it regularly, especially at night."

Chris Exley, who also lives in Wilsden, said it was the second accident to have happened at the junction in recent weeks. Also since Christmas, a resident was hit by a car and his dog was killed at almost the same spot.

"This particular junction is a known accident blackspot and since the latest accident, is unlit," said Mr Exley.

"There is also concern that there will be an increase in car crime, which is already high, on this dark lane."

But Bradford Council says it cannot make the junction a priority case. A spokesman for its highways division said: "We always try to ensure damaged lamp-posts are replaced as soon as possible. However this usually takes between six and eight weeks due to new lamp-posts having to be ordered.

"We are not aware of any serious accidents at the junction of Haworth Road and Old Allen Road in the last few years."

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