Liberal Democrats on Bradford Council support the redevelopment of Odsal Stadium and say they will push the Government not to hold up the proposal with a lengthy public inquiry.

Backing for the £60m scheme, which will create thousands of jobs, is given in the party's manifesto launched today for Bradford Council elections on May 2.

But measures to raise educational achievements are at the forefront of the election pledges. Group leader, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, said the Liberal Democrats had supported the Conservatives to form an administration after Labour was ousted in the last Council elections. But she said it included a 'no pacts guarantee' in which the Tories agreed to support a commitment to delivering the 2020 Vision, raising educational achievement and a three-year strategy to put more money into schools.

The manifesto pledges:

l More money in schools and youth services

l Investment in children's homes and care for the elderly

l More waste recycling and no waste incineration plants

l Improved street cleaning

l To campaign for more police officers on the street and support the war on drugs

l Invest in street lighting and community safety schemes and put more visible features in streets and parks

l Make sure that the new housing trusts delivers housing improvements.

The group also promises to campaign for new railway stations, including Apperley Bridge, put funding into road safety schemes and increasing opportunity for leisure, cultural and art activities.

Coun Sunderland said: "We believe that educational achievement is still the biggest challenge in the city."