Future of planned bypass in Shipley looks uncertain

Anna Dixon, who was elected Labour MP for Shipley in July's General Election, said she has written to the Government asking for an update on the proposed Shipley Eastern Bypass - as ministers review funding for many projects in the pipeline.

But Ms Dixon said the planned project has "never been a realistic proposal".

Anna Dixon, Labour MP for Shipley

Her predecessor Sir Philip Davies - who served as Tory MP for the constituency from 2005 until this year's election - long campaigned for a new bypass in Shipley and said it was "galling to see it being given up willy-nilly".

Ms Dixon told the Telegraph & Argus: "I have already written to Government ministers for an update on the Shipley Eastern Bypass project. 

"Due to the budget black hole left by the Conservatives, I am aware that funding for many projects has been put under review.

"The project has been suggested to address congestion and air pollution surrounding Shipley. 

"Still, despite my predecessor's enthusiasm for the road scheme, it has never been a realistic proposal.

"My priority is to revitalise our town centres. 

"Any funding for road and transport infrastructure in Shipley must balance the needs of all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, and better connect the station to the town centre as part of wider plans to revitalise the high street and maximise the benefits of the investment to local businesses and the community."

Last October, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapped the HS2 rail project from Birmingham to Manchester due to spiralling costs and said cash from this would be reinvested in "smaller road schemes across the north", including the Shipley Eastern Bypass.

Mr Davies said: "I am surprised that Anna is wanting to toss away tens of millions of pounds of transport infrastructure for the Shipley constituency which would transform the lives of people in Baildon and Wharfedale and reduce congestion in Shipley.

Philip Davies, Shipley's former Tory MP

"I worked extremely hard over many years to get that investment for the Shipley Eastern Bypass and it is galling to see it being given up willy-nilly.

"This is a scheme which was originally proposed by Bradford Council and for which they have conducted a feasibility study. 

"We have the funding agreed and a feasibility study completed so it is bizarre for Anna to say that it is not a realistic proposal. 

"She seems to be just defending her Government pulling support for the Shipley constituency rather than fighting for it.

"As for regenerating town centres, I was the one who secured £25 million for Shipley town centre which is currently being spent by the Shipley Town Fund Board and £14.5m for Bingley town centre for a new swimming pool, so it is easy for her to say they are her priorities when she knows I have already secured the funding for them.

"Talk about claiming credit for other people's work."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "We're aware the new Government is reviewing many capital projects, including those listed in the Network North prospectus, due to the large funding gap identified by the Treasury. 

"The Council is continuing to push for information from the Department of Transport about the status of the scheme and its funding in advance of the Chancellor’s budget announcement in October."

In a speech last month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused the Conservatives of creating a £22 billion black hole in the public finances - something the Tories strongly deny.

Sir Keir said October's Budget would be "painful" as Labour tries to "fix the rot" left by the Conservatives.

Shipley Eastern Bypass was previously hailed as a "vital infrastructure project", with the preferred route from Leeds Road by Carnegie Drive, through Dockfield Road and joining Otley Road at the junction of Green Lane.

But it has had its critics.

When Mr Sunak made his announcement last autumn, Shipley Green Party Councillor Kevin Warnes said: "We are shocked that Mr Sunak has announced that he will waste tens of millions of pounds of hard-earned taxpayers' money on a Shipley Eastern Bypass.

"We've known for years that new roads bring more traffic and more air pollution into our neighbourhoods."