Pupil to open Bradford rail trail section that boosts cyclists and walkers

Thornton Primary School pupil Shayden Prajapati will open the cycling route that runs alongside a new housing development in Thornton which is nearing completion.

The youngster’s family, who recently moved there, will along with other residents enjoy easy access to a trail that links them to Woodsley Fold.

Coun Val Slater, Bradford Council’s executive member for planning, transport and housing, said: “We have always been supportive of the Great Northern Railway Trail over the years and were pleased to be able to work with Sustrans and Miller Homes on this scheme that will deliver great benefits to people living on the nearby new development.

“We’re also delighted that this scheme was partly funded by the developer as part of planning conditions. The trail can be used for cycling and walking in open countryside and provides access to the magnificent Thornton Viaduct.”

Sustrans, the national cycling charity, heads a local partnership with support from the council and other members of the Great Northern Railway Trail Forum.

David Hall, Sustrans’ Yorkshire regional director, said: “The new residents of Woodsley Fold now have a direct link on to this wonderful trail, providing an enviable walking and cycling experience away from traffic where the quality of the local countryside, and magnificence of the old railway route can be fully appreciated.”

Already people can travel from Thornton to Queensbury along the former railway line, once named the Alpine route for its undulating scenic landscape.

Volunteer rangers have helped to maintain the trail. With this latest phase the public can now use over half of the planned route with its three viaducts.

The Great Northern Railway’s Bradford-Keighley line, which joined a branch from Halifax at a triangular junction at Queensbury, was built between 1876 and 1884 and, mile for mile, was the most heavily engineered rail route in West Yorkshire.