Tens of thousands of pounds are to be spent on highway and environmental improvement schemes across the Shipley district.

Projects include street lighting, traffic calming and parking improvements with one of the biggest projects being a £10,000 facelift for Shipley's Windhill recreation ground.

Members of Bradford Council's Shipley Community Area Panel (Shipley) have agreed to earmark £120,000 from various budgets for the schemes over the next two years.

The money for Windhill, which it is expected will be matched by a further £10,000 from the European Regional Development Fund, will see environmental improvements at the recreation ground and the development of a play area with residents being consulted over exactly how the project should progress.

Meanwhile additional lay-bys and parking spaces are to be provided in Owlet Grange and Owlet Road, Windhill, with traffic calming in nearby Fairbank and verge hardening in Hawthorne Avenue and Rosebery Avenue.

Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East) said: "These are excellent local schemes which demonstrate the Council is listening and responding to people's concerns.

Panel chairman Councillor Tony Miller (Lab, Shipley East) added: "I'm delighted that members have agreed to allocate funding to bring better recreational facilities to local residents in the Windhill area.''

Parking spaces to give disabled residents easier access to their homes are set to be created at Baildon in Aire Way/Tennis Way, Knoll Park Drive and Gorse Avenue with schemes to resurface the footpath at The Grove and put handrails on the path at Cliffe Lane also allocated funding.

Meanwhile 'village gateways' are to be created on Haworth Road at Harecroft and Bingley Road, Menston, with the improved signing and road markings aimed at encouraging motorists to slow down.

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