A COMMITTEE is being asked to re-think its decision not to give the go-ahead to a new £2.5 million cycleway project linking Bradford with Shipley.

Members of the Environment and Waste Management overview and scrutiny committee were asked to look at the plans after they were called in.

Members were told Bradford East Area Committee was unhappy with the route despite it being approved by the Executive in September last year.

They had challenged the implementation of traffic regulation orders (TROs) and stated the route was "not an attractive proposition to cyclists".

The route travels from the city centre to St Blaise Way, Inkersley Road, crossing Hamm Strasse, Valley Road, Canal Road, Queens Road, and Hillam Road.

The plans incorporate the placing of traffic signals to allow cyclists to cross, one of which would be at the Queens Road/Bolton Lane Junction.

Traffic lane width on Valley Road would be narrowed but the number of lanes would remain the same.

The Area Committee had rejected a recommendation to pass the plans because of a number of objections about access to industrial sites on the route, loss of street parking, danger to cyclists, movement of traffic and potential loss of trade to businesses.

Report author Chris Bedford, principal engineer, said tenders had been received and a preferred bidder chosen.

He said amendments had been made to some of the stretch but said the route chosen was the one highlighted in the Local Plan.

Jo Steel, speaking on behalf of Uriah Woodhead, in Canal Road, said the route and its construction would "adversely affect business" and put the company "at a disadvantage".

Graham Iles, on behalf of Trevor Iles Ltd, said their business employed 60 people and it could put their jobs at risk.

Bradfrod East Area Committee chairman, Councillor Rachel Sunderland (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe) asked that more time be given to looking at different routes, suggesting Midland Road be looked at.

"I have spoken to businesses and delivery drivers along the route and they are concerned about problems accessing the sites. I have also walked it and I think some areas are not safe to cycle."

There was support from cyclists.

Councillor Taj Salam, (Labour, Little Horton), Bradford Council's cycling champion, said: "I want to see families cycling and create a route where people will be confident in taking their kids out.

"This is probably the only route that is quite flat and connects Shipley very well. I think this current scheme is a feasible one."

Suggestions to compulsory purchase land for an alternative route was deemed unworkable given the potential cost and the length of time it would take.

"Mr Bedford said: "Any departure from the route would delay its start and would mean the loss of the funding which would be allocated to other areas of West Yorkshire."

Scrutiny committee member Councillor Ralph Berry (Labour, Wibsey) said it was is the final piece of the plan for the cycle route which will add to the health of the people in the district which the Council was trying to encourage.

"I do not want to see the scheme placed in peril, but have we been able to mitigate some of the concerns people have raised?

"What I don't want to see is a scheme that becomes the cycling equivalent to the hole in Bradford," he added, pointing to the city centre development which took years to complete.

Members agreed to refer the decision back to the area committee for further consideration of the advertised TROs on September 14.

But the committee also said the Executive, which has the power to overrule area committees, might want to consider the issue themselves in the meantime.

Members also noted Bradford West Area Committee should be consulted as part of the route was in this district.