A councillor bidding to revamp one of the main routes into Shipley has been stunned by the response from local residents.

And Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East) says some of the ideas being mooted by local people should help transform Leeds Road into a more attractive area for residents, businesses and commuters alike.

Earlier this month the Telegraph & Argus reported how Shipley East's councillors had launched the Leeds Road Corridor Improvement Project.

As well as brightening up the area for local people it is hoped tidying up one of the town's major arterial routes will also help attract more investment into Shipley itself.

Dozens of letters and questionnaires have been delivered to residents living along the A657 Leeds Road and already more than half of them have been returned.

Councillor Thornton said: "About 120 questionnaires went out and normally you get a response rate of ten per cent if that but the response to this has been tremendous and totally overwhelming.

"We're only eight days into it but already we've had more than 50 replies plus more than a dozen phone calls. I've never known a return like that."

Coun Thornton, who is spearheading the project, added: "We've had all sorts of different ideas with the main ones being for improvements to grass verges, highway safety and litter collection.

"The need for more pedestrian crossings or refuges, as well as more litter bins has also been highlighted and will be looked at.''

Meanwhile Councillor Thornton is calling on local people to take an active role in the project themselves.

Once residents' views have been collated meetings will be staged to establish which issues need targeting before resources are sought from Bradford Council.

Anyone wishing to get involved in the project should write to Councillor Thornton at Shipley Town Hall or phone Bradford (01274) 757674

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