Work begins on scaled back West Bradford Cycle Superhighway

But the scope of the “cycle superhighway” will be much smaller than the original plans that were awarded millions by Government in 2020.

Segregated cycle lanes are currently being built on Sunbridge Road, and will run down Thornton Road to the Cemetery Road junction.

The project will also include walking improvements, with a number of new pedestrian crossings.

The main construction work will start in April.

The West Bradford Cycle Superhighway was among a package of measures given funding through the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund in early 2020, along with the pedestrianisation of Hall Ings and Market Street and a new entranceway to Bradford Interchange.

The original plan was for the cycleway to extend all the way to Thornton.

But rising costs of the schemes led to West Yorkshire Combined Authority reducing the scope of the cycle way.

Originally £17.5m of the Government funding would have gone towards the new cycleway.

The amended plans are now expected to cost £12m.

One of the first sections of cycleway to be marked out (Image: newsquest)

WYCA and Bradford Council has said the route will be extended if new funding sources become available, and the work currently underway is described as “phase 1.”

The work will see new segregated cycle lanes starting on Sunbridge Road and extending 2.5km to the west of Bradford, along Thornton Road and to just west of the Cemetery Road junction.

Phase 1 forms an extension of the existing Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway, which connects the two cities via segregated cycle lanes and the City Connect 2 greenway and cycleway connecting the city centre and Shipley.

A Bradford Council spokesman said the scheme would “provide a safer, easier, more convenient space for people to cycle between the city centre and areas to the west of the city.

“There will be single lane segregated cycle routes on Sunbridge Road, with two-way routes along Thornton Road.  “Over 23,000 cars travel along the route each day and the scheme aims to reduce the number of people using cars on that stretch by encouraging people to cycle.”

Referring to the funding, the Council said: “This is a capital grant transport fund, provided by the Department for Transport and cannot be used for other purposes, such as delivering day to day services or other projects.”  Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “This is a huge investment that will improve cycling and walking routes in Bradford, as well as reduce congestion. By making it easier and safer to walk and cycle, more people can choose sustainable ways to travel as we build a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire.”