Keighley councillors have been given a massive vote of confidence in the shape of an extra £350,000 to spend on local roads.

They are being given £450,000 for road repairs, safety schemes and street lighting over the next 12 months.

The figure is more than four times the amount of cash normally devolved to Keighley politicians by Bradford council.

Similar amounts have been spent on Keighley roads in previous years, but most of the spending decisions were made by City Hall.

Council bosses believe their Keighley representatives will make better decisions because they have unrivalled local knowledge.

Until now Keighley Area Panel has been given £50,000 a year for street lighting and minor road repairs, and £47,000 for road safety.

The road safety budget, which covers Ilkley as well as the Keighley area, has been increased to £70,000.

For the first time Keighley has a £122,000 fund for projects that fit into the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan.

The plan aims to improve safety and promote walking, cycling and public transport as alternatives to cars.

Keighley's share will be spent on improvements for pedestrians, new 20mph zones, Safer Routes to School and new-style "home zones".

In addition Keighley will be given £200,000 for major local road repair and improvement schemes, and £10,000 for Traffic Regulation Orders, which cover parking and speeding restrictions.

The Area Panel will next week allocate £140,000 - £70,000 for each of the next two financial years - on road safety and minor road improvements.

Among the proposed schemes are traffic calming in Steeton, Silsden, Showfield, Parkwood Rise and Hanover Street, Keighley.

The panel also has £50,000 for minor repairs and street lighting, but has received requests from local people worth £150,000 for lighting and £74,000 for road and pavement repairs.