New city route to encourage cycling set for green light

Members of Bradford Council’s regulatory and appeals committee will be advised to back the application for the scheme when they meet.

Windhill and Wrose councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: “We want to use the green spaces in our ward and in the wider district to their best advantage.

“The number of people using their bikes to get into work in Bradford city centre has actually doubled since 2010 so there is a real need for us to make sure that better cycle routes like this are established. Obviously with the Tour de France just round the corner this means that there is likely to be an even greater enthusiasm for cycling and as a council we have to anticipate this increase in demand.”

The greenway would provide a “safe and attractive” segregated route for cyclists and walkers from Shipley along the Canal Road corridor.

It is hoped the smooth all-weather path would increase accessibility to local facilities including Frizinghall and Shipley railway stations, schools and shopping centres, in open surroundings away from the busy Canal Road and Valley Road.

The route would form part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route Nr 66, which continues to Leeds along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath and to Huddersfield via the Bradford City Park, the Living Streets in South Bradford and the Spen Valley Greenway.

A report to be considered by councillors says the pathway would “represent a sustainable development”. It says: “The proposed development would provide a link between Shipley and the city supporting connections between the two.”

The route would consist of a 3.5m width tarmac path with linking routes to highways and the rights of way network.

Bradford Council has received just one letter of objection raising concerns about potential problems caused by motorbikes and quad bikes on the greenway. Six people have written in support of the development which they say would increase awareness of Bradford Beck, reduce road traffic, encourage cycling and improve access.