WORK to widen a busy road in the district is expected to be completed this month.

Bradford Council contractors restarted construction work in North Street by the Cavendish Street, Keighley, a couple of days into the New Year on a new left-turn lane using part of the former Keighley College site.

The council had agreed a request from town centre businesses to stop major work from December 12 to January 2 so it would not affect the important pre-Christmas retail period.

Meanwhile, council bosses are pushing ahead with their plan to create a £19 million ‘one-stop shop’ for public services using the rest of the site of the demolished college.

An update on the plan was recently presented to the council’s Regeneration and Economy Overview Scrutiny Committee as part of a report on current regeneration projects in Keighley.

The council already has outline planning permission for a Public Sector Hub on the site, which would bring together several major organisations in purpose-built premises.

The report claimed that such relocation would bring a large number of staff into the town centre, boosting the local economy, while freeing up existing buildings for re-use or renewal.

The report stated that the council would build the premises subject to the sign-up of key public sector partners.

It added: “This process has taken longer than expected due to negotiations to achieve acceptable terms of public sector partners.”

The council refuses to reveal the other organisations due to commercial confidentiality.

The council has identified funding to demolish the remaining college building further down Cavendish Street, and is preparing a planning application to gain permission for demolition.

The report added: “The clearance of key sites in the town centre provides opportunities for the town to see some renewal in the near future.

“The economy still has the potential for uncertainty, however progress and intent could be very important in drawing investment into the town.

“A much clearer picture will emerge in 2018 once expected planning applications are made.”

Bradford Council last year decided to demolish the remaining former Keighley College building on Cavendish Street after trying unsuccessfully for several years to sell it.

The council’s executive agreed £430,000 to knock down the derelict multi-story building.

In June council bosses said they hoped shortly to submit a planning application for demolition and prepare a tender for the commission contract, ready to begin work this winter.