BRADFORD'S new council leader has welcomed a revised economic plan to create

smoother transport links, boost inward investment and develop the IT and digital sector.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said the latest regional plan from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and West Yorkshire Combined Authority will benefit the Bradford district.

The revised ten-point plan aims to create around 36,000 jobs over the 20 years and grow the city region economy, including Bradford, faster than the national average through a range of public-private sector partnerships.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said it wold have far-reaching benefits for the Bradford district which would get a share of the new jobs and £3.7million extra economic growth.

It would also mean further development of priority areas in Bradford city centre, the Bradford/Shipley Canal Road Corridor and M62 Corridor Enterprise Zone sites (Gain Lane, Parry Land and Staithgate Lane) as key sites for creating jobs, housing and economic growth.

The LEP investment of £125 million from 2011-2015 is expected to reap rewards with 3,200 jobs to be created by 2020 and £1.4 billion in extra economic growth for the city region.

Projects already achieved in Bradford include: access to superfast broadband for 40,000 households through £10 million plus investment; New Bolton Woods regeneration kick-started; refurbishment of Shipley College with £119,000 Growth Deal investment; unlocked £51million of private sector investment through a £6 million LEP grant enabling 109 small and medium enterprises to create 835 jobs in the district.

Coun Hinchcliffe said: "This Strategic Economic Plan sets out how economic growth for the district be achieved. We want to transform the lives of many people with the creation of jobs, better transport infrastructure and a NEET (young people not employment, education or training) - free region."