A REQUEST for almost £10 million funding for a major new road project in Keighley has been made by Bradford Council.

The Council’s decision making Executive today approved plans for the widening of Hard Ings Road, one of Keighley’s most congested highways.

Following the decision the Council has submitted a funding request for the £9.7 million project to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, with a decision expected before the end of the year.

The Executive were told that the huge project was also likely to be smoother than originally thought.

When the scheme was first drawn up, it was thought the Council may need to issue Compulsory Purchase Orders to acquire the land needed for the widening. This could have meant the project would be held up by a public enquiry.

But Richard Gelder, Highways Services Manager, told the Executive that the Council has managed to purchase the land from local landowners without the need to resort to a CPO.

A report into the benefits of the road widening scheme claims that in the year following the opening of the scheme in spring 2020, 39,000 hours of travel time could be saved across the morning and evening peak periods.

The new scheme will feature two lanes in each direction, additional traffic signals and safer pedestrian and cycle ways and crossings.

The scheme is part of a programme of traffic measures being delivered through the WYCA West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund.

Mr Gelder said: “If funding is approved by the Combined Authority we expect to start work early in the 2019/20 financial year. It will last for about 54 weeks.”

Councillor Adrian Farley, Executive Member for Children’s and Families and Keighley West Councillor, said: “I really welcome this scheme. The congestion on this road costs the people of my area time and money.”

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “This is a key transport scheme, and I’m pleased it has got to this stage and we can get it moving as quickly as possible.

“This will make up the road much more accessible.”

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “We welcome this investment in Keighley. There is a strong manufacturing base in that corridor, and this road comes up again and again when we speak to businesses.

“We’re happy to see that this won’t have to go to an enquiry, which would take time and lots of money.”

She then thanked the highways team for successfully negotiating with the landowners.