A PLANNED 6.5km cycling and walking route has received a funding boost from West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The body, which funds transport schemes in the area, yesterday agreed to award £350,000 funding towards the latest City Connect scheme, which would link Brighouse to Bradley.

The money will go towards creating a business case for the route, which will eventually cost £2.328 million.

Members of the Authority's Investment Committee were told the route would complete a long standing ‘missing link’ in the strategic cycle network in the region and to the National Cycle Network.

Chris Moses said the route would be predominately off road, but parts would link with the road network. Work would begin in July and last until March 2021.

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He said: "It will reduce congestion and create a new safe, traffic free route. it will create a shift from cars to active travel."

The Combined Authority is to fund £1.862 million from the West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund, with a £465,000 contribution from Highways England.

A report into the proposals described the route as a "medium value for money" scheme.

Members of the committee welcomed the scheme Councillor Peter McBride, representing Kirklees, said the route would be an important link between Calderdale and Kirklees, and in particular would help link planned new housing schemes.

Councillor Jane Scullion, representing Calderdale, said: "This will prove to be an arterial route for the area.

"When we say arterial routes we normally talk about car and bus routes - this will be an arterial route for cyclists and pedestrians."

The committee then agreed to fund the business case to the tune of £350,000.