A defunct railway line will provide a safe haven for children walking to school.

It will allow youngsters going to and from the new Cullingworth Village Primary School to avoid busy Cullingworth and Halifax Roads.

And their parents will be able to leave their cars at home to accompany them along the Great Northern Trail.

The link from the school to the trail, which travels between Cullingworth and Queensbury using panoramic Cullingworth and Hewenden viaducts, should be up-and-running by September.

Bradford rocker and keen cyclist Tony Wright, of Terrorvision and a member of Sustrans, the alternative transport lobby, helped spearhead the campaign to set up the trail.

Sustrans has permission to re-open the line for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

The first £70,000 phase, between Cullingworth and Denholme, will include a link from the nearby school to homes in Sutton Drive.

Cullingworth Primary headteacher, Chris Irlan-Bunting said that despite holding cycling proficiency tests for children for 22 years, he had always been unhappy about them cycling to school.

He said: "Bike stands have been installed in anticipation of children riding bikes to school when the trail is up-and-running.

"It will also enable us to walk safely and the trail will open up areas of natural beauty and interest."

The new school, which has about 230 pupils, is due to open on Friday, July 9.

The Great Northern Trail has gained £85,000 cash backing from the Heritage Railway Trust and £66,000 from European Union

coffers.

It was closed to railway passengers in 1955 but continued in use for goods transport until the 1960s.