A proposed £750,000 package of traffic improvements to Keighley town centre will next week move one step closer to reality.

Bradford council's high-powered transportation committee is expected to call for detailed plans to be drawn up by its road engineers.

The proposed measures to speed up traffic, improve pedestrian safety and ease bus flow have been broadly welcomed by local people. Outline details were extensively publicised last autumn through a colour leaflet, public exhibitions and a series of meetings.

Most local people were also in favour of a £2 million proposal to rebuild Keighley bus station using a mix of private and public cash.

The 11-point traffic package includes junction improvements, the widening of East Parade and extra pedestrian crossings on North Street and Cavendish Street.

Once detailed plans are drawn up, they can be coordinated with other town centre improvements planned by the council and Keighley's Single Regeneration Budget. These include:

canopy refurbishment and road surface repairs on Cavendish Street

accident-reduction action on North Street

improvements to Coney Lane

upgrading of the Scott Street car park.

More than three-quarters of people who responded to the consultation were in favour of:

widening East Parade

changes to the Bow Street/North Street junction

signals at the junction of Cavendish Street and Lawkholme Crescent

a new pedestrian crossing at the North Street/Cavendish Street junction.

Most people also agreed with banning right turning into Alice Street from North Street, new signals at the North Street/-Spring Gardens Lane junction and a pedestrian crossing towards the bottom of Cavendish Street.

Only half the people agreed to traffic lights at the North Street/Mornington Street junction. Many people believed the new measures would lead to too many traffic signals on North Street. But highways engineers believe signals will be essential to allow drivers to get in and out of the street.

Other issues raised included the need for access to the disabled car park in town hall square, reducing traffic through the bus station and parking on Skipton Road and North Street.

Detailed plans for the bus station have not been drawn up because discussions are continuing with transport organisations over design and funding. Keighley and District Travel has asked for changes to the council's current proposals for entry and exit to the area.

The transportation, planning and design committee, meeting on Monday, is expected to approve the principles of the traffic proposals, commission detailed plans and call for further consultation with interested parties.

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