A 25-year blueprint for regenerating Bradford and its neighbouring towns and cities will be unveiled today.

The Leeds City Region Development Programme has been put together by 11 Yorkshire authorities including Leeds, Bradford, and York.

It aims to develop a joint approach to strengthening the region's economy by upgrading skills, encouraging scientific and creative innovation, improving business infrastructure and housing, and tackling transport congestion across the region.

One of its biggest goals is to put in place a radical £4.5 billion package of congestion-busting measures - including three major schemes in the Bradford district.

The 25-year transport vision includes a new tram train service, between Bradford Forster Square and Guiseley, and long-awaited highway improvements such as the Shipley eastern relief road and the Bradford outer ring road.

The shared vision document, which is being launched in Halifax to leaders from the business and political world, has been submitted to the Government as part of a drive to regenerate the north.

Metro, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, points out that the city region's current growth could be compromised if the legacy of Government under-investment in the region's transport continues. Metro's director general, Kieran Preston, called for the gap in Government transport spending - currently £200 per person in the Leeds City Region compared with £600 in London - to be closed.

He said: "We are not asking for parity with London. If the Government just halves the gap we can deliver the vital networks that will join up housing and employment, people and jobs and help the Leeds City Region thrive.

"Four and a half billion pounds for transport schemes seems like a big ask but when you consider that in economic, social, health and environmental terms they repay that cost three times over it makes absolute sense.

"The question we shall be putting to ministers and civil servants when we present this vision at the House of Commons later this month should not be, Can you afford to make this happen?' but, How can you afford not to?'"

Bradford Council leader Coun Kris Hopkins said: "Having 11 authorities from the region working together towards a common goal to enhance the economy will have a huge impact and benefit for all the residents who live in the Leeds City Region.

"It will also provide more opportunities for job creation and employment for residents in Bradford district.

"This document is vital in making the region's economy more prosperous and vibrant, which in turn will have a huge effect nationally and internationally. Working closely together with our local businesses is essential in delivering this."

PARTNERS

The partners in the Leeds City Region are Leeds, Bradford, York, Wakefield, Kirklees, Calderdale, Craven, Barnsley, Harrogate, North Yorkshire and Selby.

TRANSPORT

The plan sketches out measures to combat massive - and growing - congestion at peak times. They include proposals such as:

  • developing packages of rail, road, bus and integration measures
  • raising the scale of investment on strategic travel corridors
  • improving existing services
  • Congestion in Bradford city centre would be tackled with an integrated transport scheme.

And a link road to Leeds-Bradford Airport would be developed.

ECONOMY

Bradford and Leeds are the only two Yorkshire cities expected to exceed UK average economic growth in the next decade, the report says.

The UK average is expected to be 30.96 per cent by 2016 - Bradford's is predicted at 36.61 per cent.

Based on planned big developments in Manningham, Airedale, the city centre and Bradford canal, the report predicts the creation of 25,901 jobs.

And, overall, development of the economy could mean an increase in employment by 21.67 per cent.

PROPERTY

Bradford expects an ageing population, more children under four and more Asian homes.

Demand for social housing is up and people in commuter areas are increasingly moving further out.

The investor market is rising, with people snapping up city centre apartments. Central objectives of the housing strategy are:

  • revitalising poorer areas where demand is low
  • providing a diverse range of housing
  • exploiting opportunities provided by the five universities in the region
e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk