A FOOTBRIDGE should be built for pedestrians who currently have to dice with death to cross a busy dual carriageway.

The bridge – which would span the A629 Aire Valley trunk road, between Steeton and Silsden – has been revealed as the preferred option following completion of an outline business case.

Now pressure is being put on the Government to stump-up the estimated £3.6 million needed for the structure, which it is proposed to build diagonally over the Steeton/Silsden roundabout.

A subway scheme was also considered, but that idea has been questioned with the site lying in a flood plain area.

Whilst the footbridge proposal has been widely welcomed, there is criticism of the length of time it is taking for the project to progress.

Bradford Council was awarded £700,000 by the Government about four years ago to fund the business case, which – now complete – will go to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for review and a recommendation.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, the council's portfolio holder for highways, says he is writing to the Department for Transport to push for funding for the bridge.

"We know that improving accessibility over this busy junction is a big priority for people in Steeton and Silsden and it will make accessing the station and the surrounding area much easier and safer," he added.

"I’m asking the combined authority to back the bridge as the best option and I’ll be writing to the Department for Transport to make the case for it to provide funding so we can crack on and get the bridge delivered as quickly as possible."

Keighley Conservative MP Robbie Moore said he had already raised the issue "at the highest level" in Westminster.

He added: "This bridge has been in the pipeline for a number of years.

"Whilst I am pleased Bradford Council has now – eventually – reached a conclusion on the feasibility study since being given the money from central government several years ago, it is frustrating the consultation has taken so long.

"I am not sure why options like a subway were even considered, given the site is next to a flood plain, but in any case at least we can now start moving in the right direction.

"I am determined to deliver a pedestrian bridge connecting Silsden and Steeton so residents can safely cross the busy dual carriageway.

"I have raised this project with the Treasury team at No 11 Downing Street and the Transport Department and going forward I will be actively lobbying them for funding commitments now the outline business case has been produced.

"We need to work constructively and efficiently to deliver this scheme for residents, and that is why I look forward to working with district and parish councils to ensure this bridge is built for the safety of all."

Independent Craven ward district councillor, Adrian Naylor, says he favours a footbridge but that clarity is needed.

"A footbridge is the 'least worst' option," he said.

"An underpass wouldn't be feasible and a signalled crossing would be horrendous – traffic already builds-up there at peak times.

"However, with the proposed footbridge landing on one side of the railway, consideration needs to be given as to how disabled people and those with pushchairs will access the other platform. We need clarification."

Councillor Naylor also questions the £3.6m figure quoted as being needed from the Government.

"Only £120,000 of the £700,000 given by the Government was spent on consultants and there is a £100,000 Section 106 contribution from Barratt for its Belton Road housing scheme," he said.

"There should be the best part of £700,000 available already. Given that the council is spending many millions of pounds on schemes in Bradford city centre, around £2.9m for the footbridge isn't a great deal to ask."

Craven ward Conservative councillor, Rebecca Whitaker, said she welcomed the fact the outcome of consultation was now known – but criticised the time taken.

"It seems like an inordinate time since our then MP Kris Hopkins secured the monies for the consultation and I cannot understand why it has taken this long to get this far," she said.

"Although it's disappointing that ward councillors were not briefed first on the results of the consultation before the matter was referred back to the combined authority, I am pleased Bradford Council will be pushing for the footbridge option – which I believe is probably the most viable and safest way of crossing this busy road.

"I understand that the council will be writing to the Department for Transport demanding funding for the footbridge. However, l know that Robbie Moore – since being elected – has already been in talks with those at the Department and has been making the case for monies for the footbridge project on behalf of the local electorate. I look forward to continuing my work with him to secure a safe crossing for all our local residents."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Combined Authority said: "The business case for this scheme has now been submitted to us for review. As with all projects to which we allocate funding, the purpose of this is to ensure value for money for the taxpayer and that the right solution is proposed.

"We will be working closely with our partner Bradford Council and supporting it in making the case to the Department for Transport for future funding, to ensure the solution is delivered and will benefit the local community."