Ten thousand new jobs, millions of pounds of investment and improved transport links are promised in a radical regional plan unveiled today.

The Masterplan for Airedale, drafted by the same consultants working on Bradford's own ground-breaking Masterplan, sets out a blueprint for the area's regeneration for the next 15 years.

It aims to transform Airedale into a world leader in digital communications and an international centre for hi-tech industries.

Measures to boost living and working in the Aire Valley include building:

l a Shipley Eastern Link Road between Frizinghall and Baildon via Windhill which would be connected to the A650 at Nab Wood by a Shipley bypass tunnel;

l a sports stadium in Keighley;

l a string of restaurants and cafes in Bingley; and

l a new mixed use development in Shipley to replace the town's iconic clock tower and indoor market, which would be demolished.

Airedale's rural landscape will be enhanced for visitors by restoring the formal gardens at Devonshire Park and Cliffe Castle in Keighley and at Roberts Park in Saltaire, creating a country park at Dowley Gap in Bingley, a nature reserve at Marley and botanical gardens in Bolton Woods.

Business parks are proposed at Esholt, Baildon, Bingley and Shipley. Rail transport links will be boosted.

Today the Airedale Masterplan was described as achievable and "not pie in the sky" at its launch at Dalton Mills in Keighley - which will also be redeveloped under the proposals.

Councillor Simon Cooke, Bradford Council's executive for regeneration and chairman of the Airedale Partneship, said: "The plan is critical to realising the enormous potential of the area over the coming years.

"To people who say it could happen I say: it's happening already."

Mick Milner, director of Keighley-based iron foundry Leach and Thompson Ltd, said: "The Masterplan has involved as many existing businesses as possible and gives a way forward for all of us to get behind.

"It will involve a great deal of work but it is not 'pie in the sky' and is deliverable."

Other plans include:

l renovating Airedale's railway stations and creating a rail link to Leeds Bradford International Airport;

l building an exhibition hall and speciality retail bazaar in Keighley;

l converting Bingley Town Hall into a hotel and conference centre; and

l replacing Shipley's outdoor market with an indoor market building.

The Masterplan was commissioned by the Airedale Partnership, which is private sector-led. Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward provided £475,000 of funding to help put it together.

It has been split into four parts, dubbed Creative Corridor, Connected Corridor, Lifestyle Corridor and Rural Background.

It follows architect Will Alsop's ambitious Masterplan for Bradford city centre which was unveiled in October 2003, and which consultants Arup are now developing further.

Mike Osborne, Arup's project director for the Airedale Masterplan, said it would capitalise on the success of the Bingley Relief Road and build on present schemes including the relocation of Keighley College and the conversion of Victoria Mills in Shipley into apartments.

"The Airedale Partnership Masterplan looks to the future, uniting a region and encouraging growth by capitalising on its existing skills and services," he said.

"The area is poised to become an international centre for commercial research, advanced manufacturing and digital technology."

The Masterplan would take until 2020 to complete and would be implemented in three stages: between 2005 and 2008; 2008 and 2012; and 2012 to 2020.

Some funding is already in place but a further £150 million will be generated primarily through Government and partnership funding, both private and public, and by working with key landowners in the area.

Coun Cooke said: "This Masterplan aims to build on the developments taking place and bring benefits to people and communities across the whole of Airedale.

"It highlights the key challenges facing the area such as improving access to the region and international markets and raising skill and training levels to meet the needs of a diverse local economy."

Andrew Wallhead, head of Yorkshire Forward in West Yorkshire, said: "Airedale has been identified as one of the keys to the economic regeneration of the Bradford district with Keighley, Bingley and Shipley developing a strong shared identity."