A CYCLEWAY linking Bradford and Leeds has “raised the standards” for local cycling infrastructure - a transport report has claimed.

The Cityconnect route - a £29 million, 23 kilometre segregated cycleway, will be discussed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee on Friday.

A section of the route linking Shipley to Bradford opened in May.

A report to the committee says: “The on-going delivery of the CityConnect programme has raised the standards locally for construction of new or improved cycling and walking infrastructure.”

It says future cycling projects in West Yorkshire will be inspired by the scheme - and a formal design for such schemes could soon be adopted.

The report adds: “The CityConnect principles have also led to new ways of designing cycling and walking infrastructure in other investment programmes through the provision of new segregated cycle tracks, separated and protected from vehicular traffic through junctions.

VIDEO: New cycleway between Shipley and Bradford is officially opened

“The development of these schemes now provides the opportunity for formalising the design principles for cycling and walking best practice, to provide consistency across West Yorkshire.

"It is therefore proposed to create a West Yorkshire design principles guide, which would align with the proposed Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans and would also ensure schemes delivered through the Transforming Cities Fund programme learn from City Connect and also meet the best practice standards.”

Last month the Authority - which funded the scheme, said 1,065,300 trips had been made on the route since it was opened in Summer 2016.

The Authority is currently working on a number of cycling projects - including one in the South of the Bradford district to link the area with the Spen Valley Green way, and create better cycle access to Low Moor Rail Station.