Children to lead bridge celebrations

The 350-tonne, 210-metre long steel bridge over Manchester Road will make it safer and easier for local pupils to get to and from school.

Pupils at Newby Primary School will be part of an official opening ceremony scheduled to take place on Saturday. The celebrations start at 1pm and include a procession of people carrying multi-coloured flags.

Councillor Val Slater, of Bradford Council, said: “We understand the bridge has already seen a lot of use by local people.

“It has fantastic links to the city centre and places like St Luke’s Hospital and the university via the Living Street which is a traffic-free route for pedestrians and cyclists. “We are very proud of this bridge, which also provides a distinctive gateway to the city centre to anyone travelling along Manchester Road.”

A “portrait bench” will be unveiled which includes three life-size characters chosen by local people, including former city council leader Ian Greenwood and ex-headteacher Michael Latham.