As a multi-million pound bid is planned to expand cycle lanes in the district, the Telegraph & Argus conducted its own survey into the amount of use of the cycle lanes in Manningham Lane, Bradford. David Firth reports.

An average of nine cyclists an hour - one every six minutes - uses Bradford's high-profile cycle lanes in Manningham Lane, according to a T&A survey.

Over the course of 12 hours we counted 109 cyclists using the lanes in both directions. The results have provoked a mixed reaction from supporters and opponents of moves to get more people on to bikes.

Bradford Council transport chiefs have praised the lanes, saying that the survey shows that an encouraging number of cyclists are making the network invaluable.

But other councillors and traders remain sceptical of the value of the scheme which could be extended under a West Yorkshire-wide cycle network project.

Commenting on the survey results, Councillor Latif Darr, chairman of the Council's transportation, planning and design committee, said: "This is a very good number considering the weather conditions at this time of year. It's been said that the Council is spending all this money but the idea is to provide facilities for cyclists to make them feel comfortable and safe."

A Bradford Council highways spokesman said: "Counts of cyclists along this corridor vary considerably on a day-to-day basis. However, when we conducted a survey in a 12-hour period in July 1997, we counted 141 cyclists compared with 71 in a 12-hour period the previous October before the cycle lanes were installed".

The Council survey also showed that 16,889 cars used Manningham Lane in the same 12-hour period.

But Bradford Council Conservative group leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said: "I don't feel that cycle lanes are a priority.

"The Council seems to be doing its level best to put people off coming into Bradford."

Councillor Howard Middleton, (Lib Dem, Bolton), said: "Action must be taken to reduce the amount of cars on the roads but increasing cycle lanes is not going to be as effective as improving public transport."

Pete Latarche, of Bradford Cycle Action Group, said the survey figure was greater than they'd estimated.

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