A bid to breathe new life into one of the main arterial routes into Shipley was unveiled today.

And Shipley East's ward councillors are hoping the Leeds Road Corridor Improvement Project will brighten up the area for residents and help attract more investment into the town.

Residents are being invited to have their say on how the project should progress with its first phase involving conducting a detailed study spearheaded by Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East).

The study will look at everything from road safety, traffic management and parking to highway maintenance, cleansing, refuse collection and the state of grass verges and trees on the A657 Leeds Road.

Letters and questionnaires are being sent to residents along the corridor as well as local schools and other centres.

Councillor Thornton said once people's views had been collected a working party would be set up and a series of meetings staged to establish which issues need targeting before seeking Bradford Council resources for areas needing improvement.

He said: "I've carried out residents' surveys in other areas to find out people's views on Council services and almost everyone made comments about conditions in Leeds Road.

"They mentioned everything from the poor state of grass verges to the need to clear up litter - all little things in themselves but when you put them together they become a big problem.

"The Council's trying to encourage people to invest in Shipley but if the main arterial route between Leeds and Shipley is a bit of a tip it doesn't help.

"This is a two-edged thing to improve the actual look of the area which will be good for local residents and help attract investment. I am confident that the study will highlight significant areas of need which will be addressed by a working party.

"I'd urge as many residents as possible to take part in the consultation - it is only with full participation that this venture will be successful.''

l Questionnaires can be picked up from the beginning of February from Shipley Information Centre and Windhill Community Centre or obtained by writing to Councillor Thornton at Shipley Town Hall.

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