Bradford Council is planning a multi-million pound package of road, traffic, lighting and pedestrian improvements to support the regeneration of the city centre.

The project, called Connect-ing the City, aims to integrate the historic Little Germany and the nearby Cathedral Quarter into the rest of the city centre and the Broadway development site.

The plan also details the public works which will be needed to support the proposed £200 million Broadway shopping scheme.

Next week the Council's executive will be asked to approve the plans, subject to funding. They will also be asked to authorise a review of the existing development agreement with the developers of the Broadway scheme, the Forster Square Development Partnership, to take account of the public works.

Members will hear that £14m of public money has so far been earmarked for Connect-ing the City this year including £6m in European grants and £4m from Yorkshire Forward under the Sub Regional Action Plan.

They will also hear that additional funding is being sought towards the works.

The executive report says the works would remove the road division between the city centre and Little Germany and the Cathedral Quarter, which runs along Petergate and Cheapside.

The Council is also considering road improvements in other parts of the city centre including the Kirkgate area.

Councillor Simon Cooke, executive member for corporate and regeneration, said: "Before the Broadway scheme can take shape a package of highway, drainage and public utility works needs to be carried out.

"The works will improve pedestrian and traffic flows in and around the city centre."

With the executive's appro-val, Council chiefs will finalise details of the works needed with Yorkshire For-ward and Forster Square Development Partnership.