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Bradford and district has a proud history of manufacturing and there are those who are still market leaders in traditional businesses such as textiles, for example.

However, if the city and area are to compete regionally, nationally and globally, then they require a diverse economy and that means new industries working alongside the best of the old.

There are already shining examples of what is needed dotted around the region, such as Pace and Europlus Direct, both based in Saltaire. They could soon be joined by others now that work is set to start on Bingley Technology Park, on a site just off Keighley Road.

The £25 million project is a key component of a long-term strategy to transform the Aire Valley into a world-class centre for digital communications in little over a decade and it will help to create 1,500 new jobs in the process.

This, though, promises to be much more than just another industrial estate, with fresh ideas incorporated into the design. These ideas include work/live units to support entrepreneurs or employees who work from home and a three-storey hub containing meeting rooms and an internet cafe.

Whether these prove to be gimmicks, or provide a real edge, only time will tell, but there can be little doubt that alongside the gloss there is a real commitment. An investment of this magnitude in the current economic climate shows belief in the project, in the future, and in the area.

And such thinking deserves to succeed.

6:26am Monday 5th May 2008

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