WORK to widen Hard Ings Road in Keighley has been delayed due to unexpected problems found during the rerouting of underground pipes and cables.

Bradford Council and contractors this week pledged to work hard to make up for the delay by bringing forward other elements of the £10.3 million scheme.

Work was originally projected to be complete by spring this year, aiming to improve traffic flow through Keighley. No revised date has been given.

A council spokesman this week said: “The work on this major road improvement scheme has been progressing well so far with the completion of many elements.

“There are significant on-going works at Hard Ings Road including the re-routing of public utilities, such as water, electric, BT and Virgin Media, that are proving to be more complex than envisaged.

“This is due to the discovery of unrecorded pipes, cables and mains electricity supplies. Coupled with unexpected former road construction and concrete found during excavation works, this has unfortunately caused delays.

“We need to carry out all the works below ground for the site before we can progress with the road widening.

“We want to assure people we are working hard, along with the contractor, to bring forward other elements of the scheme so that we can minimise delays and get this scheme completed, so the people Keighley can see the benefits of this work. We thank residents and road users for their patience.”

Contractors are continuing work on the A629 approach to the Beechcliffe roundabout, where drivers currently face long tailbacks, including: widening the carriageway; realigning kerbs and central reservation; installing equipment for new traffic lights including pedestrian crossing facilities and upgraded street lighting; and replacing crash barriers and road signs.

Completed work along Hard Ings includes: piling to enable the road widening; construction of stone boundary walls along the newly-aligned Hard Ings Road; modifications to Beechcliffe roundabout including drainage storage tanks and equipment for traffic signals; installation of electronic message signs; relocation of Northern Gas Networks equipment; a new allotments entrance; more parking for the ambulance station; and planting of additional trees in Victoria Park.