By SEHERISH MAHMOOD
Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority are planning to upgrade the main roads between Bradford and Shipley and want to better understand the problems residents, commuters and businesses face and gather thoughts on how the issues can be resolved.
A series of drop-in consultation sessions have taken place giving people an opportunity to ask questions and give their feedback on the proposals. The final consultation event runs this Saturday, 2 February at Shipley Library from 10am to 2pm. Officers will be on hand to explain the objectives of the scheme, answer questions and record people’s views.
Online resources are available for those who can’t attend in person and people can write to or email the team who will record views and answer questions.
The Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme covers sections of the A650 Manningham Lane / Keighley Road / Bradford Road, the A6037 Canal Road / Valley Road and A6038 Otley Road.
The Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme aims to reduce congestion and journey times, improve air quality and increase road safety.
The project seeks to encourage sustainable transport such as cycling and walking, and enhance public transport. The scheme will also support jobs, businesses and housing development in the immediate areas and wider district. The works could include enhancements to green spaces along the route, providing pockets of wildlife areas and pleasant walking paths.
The Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme is being developed alongside other projects such as the dedicated cycle route along the Canal Road and Valley Road, and the restoration of Bradford Beck.
Initial proposals include making the A650 Bradford Road / Keighley Road / Manningham Lane into a high quality green route with improvements for buses, pedestrians and cyclists.
Canal and Valley Roads would become a streamlined high capacity route diverting non-local traffic from the A650. Junctions could be improved to increase traffic flow.
The Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme is in development. Plans will be finalised in mid-2019. Due to its size and complexity, the scheme will probably be introduced in phases with construction work starting as early as 2020.
The scheme is expected be completed by 2024.
To carry out these transport improvements, partners are seeking £47million funding through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: “I hope local residents and business as well as people who travel through the area will come along to this last drop-in event if they haven’t already. We want to ensure we achieve the maximum value for our investment through this scheme which is why I’m keen to get people’s views.
“However, if they can’t make the dates and times, I would urge them to have their say though our engagement hub, at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk before the Friday 8 February closing date.”
Steve Hartley, Strategic Director of Place, Bradford Council, said: “This major scheme will reduce congestion and journey times, improve road safety and air quality, and encourage more sustainable forms of transport.
“We are very keen to hear people’s views on these important proposals and will listen carefully to everyone’s feedback.
“The Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme is part of a wider programme of highways projects designed to enhance Bradford district’s roads.”
Residents, businesses and road users can have their say and find out more:
• Online at http://yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/bradfordshipley
• Via email: yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
• Post at: FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA)
Large print and Braille formats can be requested via by yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk or by calling 0113 2457676.
The consultation will close on 8th February 2019.
