UPDATED: Aire Valley trunk road crossing – for the few!

From KN – 9th June

Answers are being demanded over why delays are continuing to plague a multi-million-pound scheme to build a desperately-needed footbridge across a busy dual carriageway.

Plans for a safe crossing spanning the A629 Aire Valley trunk road at Steeton/Silsden have been debated for years – and in 2016, £700,000 was secured from the Government for a feasibility study.

But pedestrians and cyclists are still dicing with death as they attempt to negotiate four lanes of fast-moving traffic.

Now the issue has been raised in Parliament.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore says people have waited “far too long” for the bridge.

He claims that as well as boosting safety, the scheme could bring economic benefits by providing people with easier access to Steeton & Silsden Railway Station – and in turn jobs in Leeds and Bradford.

“We need this footbridge to be built,” he said.

“I have met with relevant ministers – including the minister for roads, Baroness Vere – countless times to discuss this issue and I’ve now taken the opportunity in the Commons Chamber to ask the Government to put more pressure on the West Yorkshire mayor and Bradford Council to crack on and get this pedestrian bridge built.

“It is quite frankly ridiculous that in the six years since £700,000 for a feasibility study was given to Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the bridge is yet to be constructed.

“It’s time for both to stop dithering and delaying, and to crack on and get this much-needed pedestrian bridge built – at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer.”

Bradford Council, which is leading on the scheme, says £9.5 million in funding has been identified but that confirmation is needed from the Government.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw – the council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport – added: “A crossing for the A629 at Silsden has always been a priority of the council, but as with all schemes it has to compete against other projects nationally for funding.

“We have been working together with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure funding for further development and delivery from all possible sources.

“The allocation of £700,000 for a feasibility study was well received – that allowed development of options for providing a facility to help cyclists and pedestrians cross the A629. However, this funding was insufficient to undertake the full development work required and to construct the bridge.

“A sum of £9.5m has been identified for this scheme through the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement. We’re wanting central government to confirm the funding with West Yorkshire Combined Authority in the coming weeks – we need the Government to say yes.”

The aim is to have a ‘green’ bridge – which would be planted with a variety of vegetation – and a structure that would increase active travel between Steeton and Silsden, both for those on foot and cyclists.