A NEW pop up cycle lane on Thornton Road and blocking off part of Kirkgate in Shipley to cars are two measures that could be introduced if Bradford gets an expected £2.1 million "active travel" boost.

Earlier this Summer the Government announced that West Yorkshire would receive £12.5 million from a pot of cash set to to allow local authorities to encourage more people to walk and cycle.

It was a response to the Covid-19 lockdown and the limitations on car travel.

The first tranche of funding had to be spent by the end of October, and in Bradford saw the introduction of new cycle lanes on Hall Ings, Wakefield Road and Manchester Road, and the closure of Shay Lane in Heaton to cars.

A further £10m of funding, the second tranche, was expected in September, but the Department for Transport has only confirmed that an announcement on whether the proposed schemes meet Government criteria, and will receive funding, will come shorty.

Local cycling campaign reviews Bradford's new Active Travel measures

This £10m funding, which can only be spent on active travel projects, will be discussed by members of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Investment Committee at a meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Members will hear that this funding will be split

- Bradford - £2,131,555

- Calderdale - £101,172

- Kirklees - £1,983,983

- Leeds - £3,025,500

- Wakefield - £1,423,243

West Yorkshire Combined Authority will get £1,387,439 for "delivery of behaviour change" across the region.

It would have to be spent by March, with all the proposed projects delivered by that date.

A report to the committee gives more details of what the money will be spent on if it is received.

A letter to the Authority from Grant Shapps said the funding was dependent on Councils demonstrating "genuine plans to consult their local communities and embrace good design principles."

A report to the Committee says: "To date, DfT have not provided any indications that there are concerns with delivery in our region. Given West Yorkshire partners’ track record of delivery and the positive impacts achieved to date for active travel, we hope that our application is successful in securing 100 per cent of the indicative allocation that we applied for."

Schemes planned for the second wave of funding in Bradford include;

- South Bradford cycle routes, linking Holme Wood, Dudley Hill and Bowling with Thornbury though a connection to the existing Leeds Bradford Cycle Superhighway, and to the city centre

- A segregated cycle route along Thornton Road – connecting Crossley Hall and Girlington to the city centre

- 'Expansion and enhancement' of the pop up/cycle route programme introduced in the first wave of funding

- The creation of a “bus gate” on Kirkgate, Shipley, restricting traffic whilst allowing bus and cycle access on Kirkgate, supporting wider plans to make Shipley Market Place a healthier, people-friendly area

- Introduction of 'schools streets' which would see roads around schools closed to traffic at drop off and pick up times.

- Improved cycle parking at sites throughout the district

- The creation of 'active travel neighbourhoods'

- Smaller scale improvements to pedestrian and cycle routes.

The committee meets online at 2pm on Thursday.