Bradford's roads 'most congested in country' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Bradford's roads 'most congested in country'
10:00am Saturday 13th October 2012 in News
By Jonathan Redhead, Ilkley/Otley Reporter
A “legacy of transport underspending” could have helped make Bradford’s roads part of the most congested traffic area in the country, it has been claimed.
But bosses at Metro, the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority, are hopeful a slice of the recently announced £1 billion West Yorkshire Plus transport fund could help reduce the traffic build-ups which plagued Bradford and Leeds.
The comments come after Leeds-Bradford was revealed as the united Kingdom’s most congested city by satellite navigation firm Tom-Tom.
According to the survey, travel times in Leeds-Bradford were 27 per cent longer than they would be under uncongested (free flow) conditions at all times.
A spokesman for Metro admitted the congestion is having an impact on the Leeds-Bradford economies, but said there are some schemes in the pipeline to help reduce traffic in and around the cities.
“We need to remember that this is a survey predominately designed to sell sat-nav devices so may not be the most scientific research but congestion does add to the costs of businesses and have an effect on the local economy,” the spokesman said.
"The Leeds-Bradford corridor is a vital economic driver, which is why Metro, the local councils and transport operators are working together to implement schemes such as the recent improvements to the A65 and the proposed new Rail Stations at Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge.
“Some public transport enhancements have been restricted by a legacy of transport underspending in our Region by successive Governments but the announcement of a West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, made possible by the Government’s recently-announced City Deal, will mean local decision-making and spending powers based upon the needs to support and grow our local economy.”
Earlier this month, Bradford Council announced a raft of schemes they hope will be developed as a result of the new fund, including congestion relief in Tong Street and the Shipley-Bradford corridor and providing “more deprived areas” with better transport to access jobs.
