Funding for junction improvement scheme approved

An additional £6.6m of funding has been approved to help pay for improvements at a busy Bradford junction.

Councillors from across West Yorkshire agreed to release the extra cash to fund work at the intersection of Toller Lane, Whetley Hill, Whetley Lane and Carlisle Road on Thursday.

The decision by West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Investment Committee means the total amount pledged towards the scheme stands at £8.56m.

The works would include the creation of new bus priority signals, eight pedestrian crossings, the closure of nearby Cross Road to traffic and the planting of 54 trees.

The scheme was first proposed seven years ago, but funding issues have led to a lengthy delay in the project moving forward and seen costs rise by an estimated 20%, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Now the funding has been approved, work is expected to begin next month and last until November 2027.

The project will also introduce:

• Segregated left-turn slip lanes on to Toller Lane from Whetley Lane and Carlisle Road approaches

• Footway widening and enhancements along Church Street and Whetley Lane

• A stretch of new cycle lane between Cross Road and Church Street

• A bus stop shelter upgrade and highway resurfacing

During the meeting to discuss the funding, Ian Eglin, a member of Bradford Council's Reform Executive, said: "I often use the roads in the area where these works are planned, and it does need improvement.

"It is a bit of a dump to be honest.

"The congestion and traffic round there will benefit from having this scheme."

Conservative councillor Ralph Cohn said while a "significant number" of residents were opposed to the scheme "mainly on the basis of costs", there had been 31 casualties resulting from car crashes in the area over the last five years.

Meanwhile, Labour's Sarah Courtney praised the scheme for its efforts to encourage more people to walk and cycle.

She said: "When it comes to good health, the nearest thing to a silver bullet is being a bit more active each day. This will lead to a reduction in casualties and an improvement in air quality."

Referring to traffic congestion, Green councillor Martin Hey said: "This area is one of the worst in the country – that side of Bradford moving into Calderdale, so I'm keen we pursue this."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.