A NEW rail link from Bradford to Leeds/Bradford Airport could be created if funding for a new study is released by the City Council.

Highway officials in Bradford could be allowed to spend an extra £300,000 this year to improve community safety and the

efficiency of the highway network for everyone.

Earlier this year Bradford Council approved the Integrated Transport Measures Capital Programme, a £1.5 million package of transport measures for the district, which is funded through the Government's Transport Settlement to West Yorkshire.

And tomorrow the Executive Committee will be asked to approve a revised programme of work to take account of the Council's extra borrowing power, following an increase in Central Government funding.

The major changes are that three schemes on Cheapside, Sunbridge Road and North Parade have been enhanced during the development and consultation phase to improve conditions for pedestrians and will now cost more to implement.

There are also proposals to add six new projects to the programme. These include:

l Traffic calming measures in the

residential areas of Manchester Road which are likely to be affected by the Manchester Road Quality Bus Scheme.

l Improvements to footpaths and other rights of way within the Bradford district.

l A contribution to an access study into a possible rail link from Bradford to Leeds/Bradford Airport.

l Provision of cycling lanes.

l Alterations to city centre roads and footways to assist people with disabilities.

Ilkley District and Parish Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Con) Executive Member of the Environment, said: "The Transport Capital Programme was originally approved on the understanding that it was likely to change before the end of the financial year because of on-going consultations. We are asking members to re-assess the situation and to decide how this extra money we now have at our

disposal should be prioritised."