In years to come, historians looking back at this century's transport/roads policies should be forgiven for a wry smile as they thumb through the saga of the Bingley relief road.

There can't be many other cases where the debate and subsequent dilly-dallying over one stretch of road has blighted three generations. Of course all due consideration must be given, linked with full public consultation, and financial and environmental checks made before reaching such a momentous decision.

The full impact of such a development cannot be underestimated - once built it cannot be reversed. However, the evidence of the benefits to Keighley of the relief road being built is well catalogued and the need quite clearly demonstrated.

Yet once again the extremely good news that it is to be built is tinged with another delay. A two year wait is extremely disappointing and must set pessimistic alarm bells ringing. The goodly folk of neighbouring Bingley must be dizzy with shaking their heads in disbelief.

Hopes were rightly high that work would begin in the year 2000, and such a start date would have been a tremendous kick-start for local business in the new millennium.

It comes as no surprise either that no dates have been set for improving the congested Hard Ings Road and the Skipton-Kildwick road. They are set to be downgraded.

At least the delay does give more time for realistic, achievable, alternative transport schemes to go hand in glove with the plans for the new road.

Whatever happens, the pressure must be maintained to make sure that this time the Bingley Relief Road doesn't remain a bridesmaid and be put back on the shelf.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.