A £1 million project to transform a former Bradford rail route into a leisure trail could become a reality after plans were given Bradford Council backing.

Campaigners want to use part of the old Great Northern Railway line, between Queensbury and Cullingworth, as a leisure route.

The lines, characterised by deep cuttings, high embankments, tunnels and viaducts, were known by locomotive crews as the Alpine Route.

It is hoped the Council's support will enable extra funding for the scheme to be granted from heritage bodies and help attract thousands of visitors to the area.

The Council has signed a partnership agreement with Sustrans, the national cycling charity, to develop the route.

The scheme is expected to attract walkers, cyclists and horseriders over a 10km route that will link other public rights of way and could become part of the National Cycling Network being promoted by Sustrans.

Jeff McQuillan, chairman of the Great Northern Trail Forum which has promoted the use of the route for leisure purposes over the last few years, said: "I am delighted that the hard work of local experts has paid off. We were encouraged by the recent public support to our proposal, and now that Bradford Council has swung its weight behind it this will be an asset for the generations to come.'

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Brad-ford Council's executive member for the environment, said: "The Council is delighted to back this important partnership-led project.

"It will provide a real boost to the rural areas of West Bradford, bringing an historic railway route back into use for cyclists, walkers and horseriders.

European funding has been obtained to make a start on the scheme, which is expected to begin early next year at Cullingworth and will include work on viaducts at Cullingworth and Hewenden.

Sustrans spokesman David Hall said: "We expect the route will be a boost to cycling tourism in the Bradford district as well as a stunning amenity."

Sustrans will lead the project with support from Bradford Council. The work will be carried out in phases and is expected to take about five years.

The Great Northern Railway's Bradford to Keighley line, which joined a branch from Halifax at the triangular junction at Queensbury, was built between 1874 and 1884. It closed to passengers in May 1955, but goods traffic continued into the 1960s.