News that a new pedestrian bridge has finally been given funding has been welcomed after many “frustrating” years of little progress.
Plans for a crossing at the busy A629 – a 70mph road that divides Steeton and Silsden – have been in the planning stages for years. But work on the crossing has yet to start.
The scheme – which will be a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the road – was recently awarded £12.9m from the West Yorkshire City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, a huge pot of cash given to West Yorkshire Combined Authority by Government.
This money will help fund the first stage of the scheme – the bridge. But no funding has yet been allocated for the second phase, which is expected to cost an additional £11m.
That phase will include an additional one-and-a-half miles of pedestrian and cycle paths linking Steeton and Silsden, and more road crossings.
The transport settlement was discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council’s Executive last week.
Referring to the second stage of the scheme, the report said: “The potential for a second phase to this project has been identified, however no funding has so far been allocated for this purpose.”
Councillor Rebecca Poulsen (Cons, Worth Valley) spoke of the long delays to the project at the meeting.
In 2016, £700,000 was secured from the Conservative Government for a feasibility study into a crossing on the road. Despite this, the project is still yet to begin.
On the new cash for the scheme, Councillor Poulsen said:
“I welcome this funding and am pleased to see Steeton and Silsden bridge included.
“This has been going on for years and years and residents have become increasingly frustrated that it is taking so long.
“It took four years to get a feasibility report done.
“I hope we get phase two up and going as soon as possible.”
Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Executive for Planning, Regeneration and Transport on Bradford Council, said:
“This scheme is a good example of the benefits of devolution.
“We’ve got a grant this big because of devolution.
“The Steeton and Silsden bridge is something we’ve wanted to see for some time.
“We had funding for a feasibility study from the previous Government, but it came with no funding attached.
“It was not the case that we had funding to deliver the scheme, not until recently.”
Yorkshire Water says end of hosepipe ban is near as rainfall continues
Yorkshire Air Ambulance raises £52,000 at first ever fundraising ball
Mayor of Skipton to raise money for children's hospice charity
CCTV installed at Skipton bus station following crime reports
Yorkshire housing market won't suffer budget blues
Opticians provide Skipton pupils with hi-vis to stay visible this winter
Reshuffle of North Yorkshire Council committees set to take place next year
North Yorkshire's mayor welcomes 'landmark' budget and new tourism tax powers
Skipton Santa Fun Run is a record-breaker as entries close
CCTV images released following bike theft in Skipton
More than 200 cyclists injured on North Yorkshire roads in past year
Local nursery thank butchers for book sponsorship
Firework show to take place at Skipton Xmas lights switch-on
Skipton Boat Trips finalists for leisure and tourism business of the year
Fees to rise at North Yorkshire leisure centres
Skipton switch-on headliner to launch Christmas EP
Skipton Theatre company announces Little Shop of Horrors as their 2026 production
Addingham Scouts raise a frightening £11,500
Yorkshire Water provide update on 'dangerous' leak in Skipton
Swap your jumpers for socks to raise funds for charity
