Public to be asked about new footbridge plans

The public is being asked for its views on plans to build a bridge connecting a town and a village.

For more than a decade there have been discussions on providing a safer way to cross the A629 dual carriageway for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have now proposed the Steeton and Silsden Connect scheme.

A short questionnaire is available on the authority's Your Voice website for people to give their feedback and is open until Sunday 16 February.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, the council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "The Steeton and Silsden Connect scheme aims to build a bridge over this dual carriageway, providing a much safer way for people to get between the two towns, as well as making it easier and safer to access the railway station from Silsden.

"I'd encourage people to find out more about the improvements planned, either by coming along to one of the drop-in sessions or the webinar or visiting the Your Voice website to give their feedback."

The last round of consultation for the scheme took place in 2020 when a bridge was selected as the preferred option.

But new requirements introduced by the government meant the whole project had to be reviewed.

Modifications included a more user-friendly gradient on the approaches to the bridge, the inclusion of resting points and increased width of the bridge to give more space between pedestrians and cyclists.

A planning application for the bridge will be submitted in the spring.

If all permissions are granted then work is due to start in 2026 with the bridge expected to be open by spring 2027, according to the council.

* As well as the website there will also be two drop-in sessions:

The session in Silsden will be at the Hive Community Centre on Saturday 1 February between 10am and 2pm.

The session in Steeton will be at the Steeton Hub on Wednesday 5 February between 10am and 2pm.

A webinar will also be held on Tuesday 11 February from 6pm to 7pm.

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