Home-owners in the Aire Valley can expect the value of their property to soar when the long-awaited Bingley relief road opens next year, according to a new survey.

The area has been identified as a hot spot for growth as the housing market across Yorkshire shows no sign of a slump.

Estate agents say this has already had a knock-on effect, with prices rising up to 25 per cent in the last year pricing first-time buyers in the Bingley area out of the market.

Property consultants Allsop & Co predict growth of between ten and 12 per cent for 2003, with areas like Bingley, Crossflatts and some parts of Keighley even higher.

Andrew Wells, of the Yorkshire-based firm, said a three-bedroom semi-detached property valued at about £80,000 could fetch £95,000 to £100,000 following the completion of the £47.9 million road from Crossflatts roundabout to Cottingley Bar.

"It is going to make commuting from places like Keighley to the Aire Valley into Bradford and Leeds quicker," he said.

"It is also going to take traffic away from the main road which will mean houses close to the old main road are more pleasant."

And Bradford & Bingley Estate Agent's Housing Market Review reports that there has been a high demand for new developments in Bingley from couples with young families and single professionals. But Andrew Hodgson, area director for the Aire Valley offices of estate agent Dacre Son & Hartley, said an increase of 20 to 25 per cent on prices in the last 12 months had priced many buyers out of the market.

"Unfortunately it is a symptom of the increase in prices," he said. "The number of properties under £100,000 is becoming fewer and terrace houses which would at one time have been £35,000 to £45,000 have suddenly crept up to £65,000 to £70,000, which makes it very difficult for first-time buyers."

Councillor Simon Cooke, Bradford Council's executive member for corporate and regeneration, said the area will become more desirable.

"It has been such a traffic nightmare and that has taken business and people away from living in Bingley," he said. "The relief of traffic will make it a lot more attractive and I think if I had the money that is where I would be spending it."

Bingley Town Centre manager David Dinsey said the relief road was the key which would unlock the regeneration of the town and allow improvements to Main Street.

While the Aire Valley and parts of Apperley Bridge are booming, the regeneration of Little Germany in Bradford has also been a success, with two-bedroom flats selling at about £95,000.

But in inner city Bradford it is still possible to buy a back-to-back house for £15,000 and builders in suburban areas remain confident of selling new properties.