BUS company First "expects complaints" from Wilsden residents after route changes caused by Northern Powergrid work.

The utilities company is currently carrying out a £30 million scheme to improve the electricity network serving Bradford.

With a section of the work having started in Haworth Road, Wilsden, a number of bus routes through the village have had to be diverted, including the 616/619 services.

The disruption is expected to last until the end of this month.

At a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Mohammed Raja from First told members: "We're expecting a few complaints from users and local councillors."

He said the company had only been told of the changes at short notice.

A spokesman for First Bradford said: “We appreciate that these road closures will cause some disruption and have done all we can with only short notice to minimise the effects and maintain predictable journeys for our customers.

“Advance planning is underway with all partners to prepare for the Queen’s Road works to ensure any impact on bus travel is limited and effective diversions are in place.”

A Northern Powergrid spokesman said: "Due to the closure there will be some disruption to bus services with First Bus 616/619 unable to operate from Wilsden to Harden and St Ives. The service will take a different route from Sandy Lane.

“To help reduce disruption, the contractor Excalon has funded a free shuttle service provided through WYCA which will run from Wilsden to Bingley and back to Wilsden. Details and times can be found on the WYCA website.

“The Transdev service K17 is unaffected by this closure.

“We’ve worked closely with WYCA and local bus operators, including school services, to ensure that where possible we minimise the impact of our investment work on their customers.

"We have funded the provision of the free shuttle bus service operating to and from Wilsden to Bingley and have placed posters on all of the affected bus stops between Wilsden and Bingley as well as posting information in local stores and the post office.

"We have also issued information via the media, social media and local councillors."