Plans to raise the road level at a busy zebra crossing in Silsden have been blasted as a waste of money by the town mayor.

Silsden Town Council chairman Councillor Chris Atkinson claims the 10cm-high plateau outside the town hall in Kirkgate will not improve safety.

He has instead renewed his call for a traffic light-controlled pelican crossing to protect pedestrians as they cross the busy road.

He claims the 6m by 10m plateau will worsen existing traffic problems in the centre of Silsden, as well as damaging vehicles.

Coun Atkinson added: “For the money Bradford Council will waste, it could make a pelican crossing. It should make the crossing safe.”

Earlier this year, Bradford councillors approved £35,000 to provide traffic lights at a crossing further along Kirkgate, near the Elliott Street junction.

Bradford Council will pay the £12,000 cost of the plateau from the budget for the ongoing refurbishment of adjacent Silsden Town Hall.