SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies has welcomed extra Government funding which will pay for a study into a Shipley Eastern Relief Road for which he has been campaigning.

Mr Davies said he would continue to press for the scheme and, as the Government had handed funds and decision making to local leaders under its Growth Deal, the onus was on Bradford Council and the new West Yorkshire Combined Authority to ensure it happens.

The Shipley Eastern Relief Road between Otley Road at Baildon to Canal Road at Shipley is among key projects to be reviewed using some of the extra £56 million allocated to the business-led Leeds city region Local Enterprise Partnership.

The extra money follows the £573 million handed to the LEP in July.

The review of transport priorities will include the Shipley route as well as connections to Leeds Bradford Airport and is due to be completed by December.

Mr Davies said: " I have been and will remain very persistent about the relief road scheme as it is badly needed. This is a small step forward but we need to ensure that Growth Fund money is spent to spread the benefit to all areas of West Yorkshire and not just Labour heartlands.

"This has only happened as a result of my pressing the case for the relief road which I will continue to do."

Roger Marsh, LEP chairman, said the extra funding would enable it to support more local small businesses to reach their full growth potential and boost innovation and enterprise key sectors.

“Most importantly, this investment will enable us to go further and faster in delivering the ambition set out in our Strategic Economic Plan of creating sustained good growth that benefits everyone who lives and does business here,” he said.

The need for a rail link to Leeds Bradford Airport was raised in Parliament by Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew.

He stressed that the connection to the rail network would contribute to achieving the "northern economic powerhouse".

He said an airport connectivity study set out the potential benefit of a new link road, but that it could result in further congestion and inhibit the potential for economic growth. He stressed the benefits of a rail link to the area.

Transport Minister John Hayes said: "My honourable friend is right that it says that a road link is important, but it does not of course rule out a rail link in the way he describes and of which I know he has been a great advocate. In that context, I will take another look at the matter, which of course has to be taken forward locally."

Mr Andrew said: "I think this shows the Government is certainly considering the proposals for the rail link. Many of my constituents are concerned about the further congestion and impact on the greenbelt that a road link would have, and I will continue to represent their views in Parliament and with the relevant agencies."

The LEP has also announced awarded £17m of skills funding, secured in last year’s Local Growth Deal, to four further education colleges in the Leeds City Region, including Shipley College which will use its share to refurbish its Mill Building.

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