THE NEXT steps have been taken in a £2.9million programme to make Bradford's roads more suitable for travel by bike, on foot and via public transport.

With the government’s Emergency Active Travel scheme being delivered in two phases, Bradford Council has used £600,000 to create new cycle lanes, bike parking facilities, improved pavements, pedestrian crossings and modifications to reduce traffic and improve safety.

It is also hoped the scheme will ease the pressure on local congestion.

The first phase is expected to be completed this month while other plans are still awaiting approval from central government.

But what does it actually mean for residents?

The changes will include pop-up cycle lanes for sections of Wakefield Road, Manchester Road and Great Horton Road approaching the city centre.

Secure cycle stands will be installed at nineteen council car parks along with facilities at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Airedale Hospital and St Lukes Hospital. The nineteen locations include:

o Westcliffe Road, Shipley

o Shipley Pool

o Exhibition Road, Saltaire

o Ian Clough Hall, Baildon

o Railway Road, Ilkley

o Wharf View, Ilkley

o Wesley Place, Silsden

o Ferncliffe Road, Bingley

o Queen St, Bingley

o Bingley Swimming Pool

o Wellington St, Bingley

o Cooke St (next to Town Hall), Keighley

o Church Green, Keighley

o Crown Court, Bradford

o Vicar Lane, Bradford

o Jacobs Well, Bradford

o Sharpe St, Bradford

o Killinghall Triangle

o Victor St, Manningham

Parts of Shay Lane in Heaton will be closed to cars whilst allowing walkers and cyclists to pass through.

There will also be a pocket park which includes cycle facilities at South Hawkesworth Street Car Park in Ilkley.

A new crossing at Ilkley Grammar School will be installed with a supporting guard railing as well as wider footpaths and new signals at Wheatley Lane Bridge and Ben Rhydding.

New footpaths and play space are set to be on route to Margaret Macmillan, Lister Primary School, Lilycroft Primary School, and Saint Cuthbert and the First Martyrs' Catholic Primary School.

Proposals are being developed for a £2.3m second phase which will be completed by April 2021.

Clean Air Bradford has proposed that it includes 'School Streets'.

Options being considered include:

• A bus gate at the end of Kirkgate in Shipley, routing traffic round the back of Kirkgate to avoid the pedestrian areas.

• A Schools Streets pilot project at ten schools across the Bradford district involving temporary road closures on surrounding streets at opening and closing times.

• Pop-up cycle lanes along Thornton Road approaching the city centre.

• Pop-up cycle lanes along Wakefield Road, Fenby Avenue, Holmewood Road and Cutler Heights Lane