MAJOR improvements are being proposed for a 'congestion hotspot' in Wharfedale.

Traffic tailbacks at the Dyneley Arms crossroads, where the A660 and the A658 intersect between Otley and Bramhope, are a common occurrence.

The junction, ranked among the top 30 most congested in the whole Leeds district, is also an accident blackspot.

Leeds City Council is considering progressing with a scheme that would involve buying adjacent farm land to create more lanes.

The authority's Executive Board was due to consider a request for funding for the project's initial, design and business-case phase, on Wednesday, September 20.

The £1.52 million being sought would also cover the first stages of schemes for two other junctions, including the Fink Hill / A6120 intersection at Horsforth.

The proposal report describes the Dyneley Arms crossroads as: "A key junction at the intersection of the Otley-Leeds and Bradford-Harrogate routes and the biggest source of delay and congestion on the A660 between the Outer Ring Road and Otley."

It adds: "There is an opportunity to reduce congestion by improving highway conditions at the junction and by expanding capacity on the approaches to the Dyneley Arms.

"An improved junction will require purchase of third party agricultural land.

"The crossroads acts as a crucial intersection connecting Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, Leeds Bradford Airport and Leeds.

"Improvements to (it) will speed up journey times for those who are accessing new employment sites in Leeds City Centre, the airport and Otley.

"Bus reliability will also improve which will assist in the realisation of connecting people with skills and jobs."

Local councillors have welcomed the move.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: "This is a significant congestion and accident black spot on this busy route.

"We have been calling for some time for the council to make improvements which will enable traffic to flow more freely.

"They have at last started on the first stage of a junction improvement scheme which will be of benefit to Otley residents who commute into Leeds, and will also improve access to the airport."

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) added: "I have been arguing for this for a number of years and the officers did introduce the right turn arrow from Bramhope down to Pool, but this has still led to queueing and concerns from residents.

"There are also significant problems with vehicles effectively coming to a stop in the middle of the junction when the lights turn to red.

"There is no doubt that if we could get the Dyneley Arms junction improved, plus some improvements at the top of the Bar House corner, this would go a long way to resolving a number of issues.

"It would also take a lot of pressure off the lower Old Pool Bank road at the junction of the Bar House if their suggested improvements work, as people would have more confidence to use the Dyneley Arms crossroads."