MULTI-MILLION pound plans to create a new cycleway between Bradford city centre and the South of the district have been revealed.

Next week transport bosses from several local councils will be asked to endorse “Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans” for across West Yorkshire.

The plans will see two major schemes in the Bradford District - a scheme to increase cycling in the South of Bradford and proposals to make Keighley town centre more pedestrian friendly.

The Bradford cycling scheme would involve two routes - from Bradford to Birkenshaw and from Laisterdyke to Low Moor.

It would see millions being spent on developing new cycle tracks and improved crossing points on major roads.

The Keighley scheme could see large amounts of traffic removed from Cavendish Street, or the major road become entirely pedestrianised.

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New pedestrian road crossings would be introduced and some side roads that lead onto North Street could have their through access blocked with new bollards.

The ambitious proposals will go before members of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transport Committee on Friday, alongside similar schemes for Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.

A report going to the committee says there were two possible routes for the Bradford to Birkenshaw cycle way, one passing through Wakefield Road and the other passing through Croft Street and Hall Lane.

One route would cost £7.2 million, and the other costing £7.7 million.

Both options would be a mix of mixed and segregated cycle routes.

There are also two options for the Laisterdyke to Low Moor route. Although each take slightly different paths, the two options are both made up of three sections - Laisterdyke to Fenby Avenue, Fenby Avenue to Bierley and Bierley to Low Moor.

One option would cost £5.6 million and the other 6.3 million.

In Keighley a "core walking zone" will be created, with a focus on North Street and Cavendish Street.

The report says the plans may include the "removal or reduction of vehicular traffic from Cavendish Street," new pedestrian crossings, restricted access to side roads along North Street and improvements to back streets parallel to North Street for walking and cycling."

A report to the committee says the schemes "will help inform future investment in provision for cycling and walking, and form part of a future connectivity pipeline across all modes of transport serving the Leeds City Region, as well as potentially helping to influence local planning processes.

“The Transport Strategy recognises that walking and cycling are ideal ways of making shorter journeys, and offer significant potential to reduce carbon emissions."

Members will be asked to adopt the draft plans.

Councillor Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: “We know that making active travel and attractive option is an important factor in achieving our ambition of tackling climate change and supporting people’s physical and mental health.

“These proposals to extend opportunities for people to enjoy safe and sustainable journeys contained in these Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans build on the significant progress that has already been made through the Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme.”

The Committee meets at Wellington House, Wellington Street, Leeds at 11am on Friday.