MAJOR changes to the accident-plagued Dyneley Arms crossroads are being proposed by highways chiefs.

Leeds City Council's highways department is also planning a raft of amendments to the A658 Harrogate Road, Scotland Lane and Whitehouse Lane to accommodate the creation of 2,222 new parking spaces at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA).

At the Dyneley Arms the changes would include adding a right-turn, lights controlled filter lane for Leeds-bound traffic coming down Harrogate Road and the introduction of MOVA (a computerised traffic control system) lights.

There would also be new road markings for Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale bound traffic on the A660 Leeds Road.

People have been calling for improvements to the crossroads - there were 20 accidents involving injury there between 2001 and 2005, and another six in 2006 - for years. The proposals have just gone out to consultation but many in Pool and Bramhope have already expressed reservations.

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel and Wharfedale) said: "I always believe in consulting with residents before I make my views known, so I've sent the proposals out and am collating results.

"So far people generally welcome what's going to happen but would like the council to look seriously at developing a right-turn, lights controlled filter lane for motorists coming from Bramhope to go down Pool Bank.

"That's something the council's going to have to address, in my view sooner rather than later and I think it needs to be looked at as part of this scheme.

"These proposals will have a positive affect on road safety and I don't want to stop this work, but there are a number of other issues that need to be resolved before residents will have the confidence to use that junction without fear."

Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Adel and Wharfedale) said: "Most drivers would far prefer a new traffic light controlled filter lane allowing vehicles from Leeds to go down Pool bank more easily.

"However the accident statistics which drive most highways improvements suggest the most dangerous manoeuvres come with vehicles on the A658 turning right towards Leeds, so I can see where the traffic people are coming from.

"In an ideal world I would prefer traffic light controlled filters in both directions but the concern is this would mean longer delays for other traffic.

"The planned measures are a step forward and it is reassuring the traffic people will be monitoring the situation."

POOL2020 Chairman Bernard Mitchinson said: "Why not build a roundabout east of the existing crossing? It seems the proposals are fixated on the existing crossing, which has built-in problems."