Residents say their lives are being blighted by what they regard as the “excessive” volume of traffic on a Bradford road.

People living on Rooley Lane say they are being badly affected by high pollution and noise levels, speeding motorists and structural problems caused by the vibration from passing heavy lorries.

Craig Reynolds, chairman of Rooley Lane Residents’ Group, said the problem got worse after 2004 when traffic heading from the M606 to Bradford city centre was re-routed via Rooley Lane, along the ring road east, rather than Mayo Avenue, along the ring road west.

Mr Reynolds said: “Houses shake when HGVs go past and there are cracks appearing in some walls. We’re seeing more and more pollution, noise, dirt and vibration. The traffic is excessive.”

In 2006, about 25 residents attended a meeting to express concerns about the volume of traffic on the road, commenting on fume damage to properties and cracks appearing in houses.

Mr Reynolds, who has lived on Rooley Lane for 20 years, said: “It’s been worse since 2004. Prior to August 2004, traffic coming off the M606 was sent to the city centre via Mayo Avenue on the ring road west.

“After 2004, the signs and road layout changed at the top of the M606 so they were re-routed along the ring road east along Rooley Lane.”

Some residents say they can no longer sit outside their houses due to noise and fumes from passing traffic.

Mr Reynolds said matters came to a head when a large hole appeared in the car park of the local pub.

He said: “A two-foot deep hole, about 12 inches in diameter, appeared in the car park at the Cross Keys. The vibration has caused something to drop.”

Landlord Eric Rhodes said: “The hole appeared where the old cellars used to be for the cottages that used to be there. They back-filled them once the cottages were demolished, but the vibration of all the traffic going past has caused a void to appear.

“In general, the traffic’s not doing the buildings any good. You open the window a couple of inches and you get loads of filth inside your house. It’s got busier.”

John Blackburn, Bradford Council’s assistant director for transportation and highways, said: “Rooley Lane is a major strategic route through the city and, as such, sees heavy traffic use.

“Our latest traffic survey shows that there has been a six per cent increase in traffic along Rooley Lane since 2003, which is in line with the national average of a one per cent a year increase.”