A £20m scheme aimed at boosting public transport, cycling and walking on a major Bradford route has been welcomed - but local residents should have a say in the work, according to a councillor.

On Thursday, West Yorkshire Combined Authority gave the green light for transport officers to progress on a major project to transform Wakefield Road and a section of Tong Street.

The work will create a “sustainable transport corridor” that will include 4.3km of new bus lanes on the route, along with a 1.7km long two-lane cycle path.

Other work will include new pedestrian and cycle crossings, the filling of an existing pedestrian subway, improved bus stops and new landscaping to make the route greener and more attractive.

Funded by Government cash awarded to West Yorkshire in 2022, the scheme involves a 2km stretch of Wakefield Road from Croft Street to Dudley Hill Roundabout, and a 500m portion of Tong Street from Dudley Hill Roundabout to Rook Lane.

A report to the Combined Authority meeting on Thursday said the work would benefit people “on low income, who may not have access to a car.”

Recent figures published in a draft of Bradford’s Local Plan found that in the South East of Bradford – an area Wakefield Road runs through, 39 per cent of households do not own a car.

This is a much higher percentage than the 29 per cent average across West Yorkshire.

The Combined Authority agreed to release money allocated to the scheme to develop a full business case for the work at Thursday’s meeting.

Work is expected to start in Summer 2026 and be completed the following Spring.

Other funding approved by the Authority on Thursday included extra cash to resurface roads across West Yorkshire.

Bradford will get £1.89m from this pot of cash.

Referring to the Wakefield Road scheme, Councillor Rizwana Jamil (Lab) said: “As ward Councillor for Bowling and Barkerend, I welcome the £20 million investment from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on improvements to the Wakefield Road highways scheme.

“As one of the main routes in to the city centre, these works will enhance and improve the experience of residents using the A650, in particular, the upgraded bus stops, new pedestrian crossings, public space improvements and removal of the existing subway.

“I will however be urging the Combined Authority and Bradford Council, to consult with local residents when developing and finalising details of the scheme to ensure that their views are taken into consideration.”