AN MP has accused Bradford Council of standing in the way of the much-needed Shipley Eastern Bypass – after government confirms the scheme cannot progress further until the council responds to requests for information.
Shipley MP Philip Davies has been told by Transport Minister Richard Holden government will look at funding the majority of the scheme, but the council must commit to funding at least 15 per cent of the cost.
However, no response or promise has been forthcoming from the council.
Mr Davies said: “This is a project that will bring huge economic growth to not only Shipley but its surrounding towns and villages in the Aire Valley as well as tackling major congestion issues. but once again it is being met with opposition from Bradford Council. This is not the first time the council has stood in the way of this scheme progressing. If this were a city centre project the council would have responded immediately.
“Bradford Council is always complaining that they need more transport infrastructure investment. Here we have the government offering a huge amount of money for transport infrastructure to boost the economy and reduce congestion, and Bradford Council are turning it down. I am sure my constituents will be as appalled as I was to be told Bradford council is failing to get this project moving.”
Mr Davies said he will continue to press the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council to “put somewhere outside of the city centre first for once”.
In a Parliamentary written answer following questioning from the Shipley MP, Mr Holden said: “The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council submitted a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for the Shipley Eastern Congestion Relief Scheme in October 2022.
“The Department has informed the Council that this scheme can be considered for possible government investment under the current Major Road Network/ Large Local Majors programme, subject to a commitment being made by the Council that it can provide a funding contribution of a minimum of 15 per cent of scheme costs. This commitment is needed in order for the Department now to progress its consideration of whether to approve the SOC, but no such commitment from the Council has yet been received.”
Government has repeatedly said it sees the benefit of a bypass and previous transport ministers have visited the area to see what a difference the scheme could make.
Mr Davies has been campaigning for the bypass since it was first mentioned in the Airedale masterplan.