A CYCLE route linking Shipley to Bradford will finally open next month.

The £3.1 million, 2.3km City Connect cycle route was due to be completed last Summer. But earlier this year it was announced the opening date would not be until Spring.

Now an official opening date has been set for May 11.

The segregated route runs down Hillam Road, Bolton Lane and then Valley Road, past Forster Square Retail Park and then to Church Bank, where it links with the existing Bradford to Leeds cycle way.

The project has been largely funded by the Department of Transport’s Cycle City Ambition Grant and a contribution from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Completion date of Shipley to Bradford cycle route pushed back to Spring

After the opening was pushed back the Council and the Combined Authority issued a joint statement saying: "“There have been some minor delays to the project, which isn’t uncommon for projects of this nature."

An opening celebration ride will be held on the day, starting at the Greenway entrance near the top of Valley Road at 9am.

It has been organised by Bradford Capital of Cycling and will see cyclists travel along the route to the city centre.

The route will be one of a number of sports and health issues discussed by Bradford Council at a meeting of the Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday. Active Bradford, a collection of organisations promoting healthy living in the District, will be presenting their annual report to the Committee.