Plans to close the main road linking Oxenhope to Denholme could leave motorists facing a four-mile diversion.

Councillors Rebecca Poulsen and Mike Ellis have criticised proposals from Bradford Council to shut Denholme Road to enable retaining wall repair work. This applies to a stretch of road adjacent to Waterside Mill and Spring Row.

The council says a temporary traffic prohibition order relating to this road comes into effect on July 1, and will remain in force for about three months.

But Coun Poulsen said: “I think it’s excessive – the diversion is huge, and it’s going to be really bad for residents.”

Coun Ellis added: “This will be devastating for businesses. It seems ludicrous they can’t just use temporary traffic lights.”

The diversion route comprises a triangle along the main roads connecting Oxenhope, Haworth, Cross Roads and Denholme.

Bradford Council’s principal engineer John Anderson said: “We propose to carry out wall reconstruction and parapet repairs, and expect to be able to complete most of the works under traffic signals.

“Where this isn’t possible, Den-holme Road will be closed to vehicles and a diversion signposted. We’re aware the diversion is rather long and, if closures are needed, we’ll do our best to keep them to a minimum.”

Mick Roper, owner of the Dog and Gun Pub at the junction of Denholme Road and Long Causeway, says the closure would split Denholme and Oxenhope, and be devastating for businesses.

He added: “It is cutting the community in half. We had no notification at all – nobody let us know this was going to happen.

“The Oxenhope Straw Race is on July 7, and that attracts about 2,000 people. They obviously haven’t taken it into account. We got hammered in March with the snow. With this, you won’t get people taking a four-mile diversion to come here, they will just go to another pub.”