A plan to make Bradford safer for shoppers has been applauded by city traders.

Councillors are set to approve a £384,000 improvement scheme which will provide a safer and more accessible pedestrian link from Forster Square Station to the main shopping areas.

The project - designed to encourage more investment into the city - will include improving pedestrian access across Cheapside and Manor Row and making bus stops more user-friendly.

Wider footpaths and pedestrian crossings will be installed at School Street and the Midland Hotel, with traffic calming measures installed as a further safety move.

Motorists will also be encouraged to use the city ring road as an alternative route and Duke Street will be closed to through traffic to make a pedestrian link from the station and retail park to the main shopping centre, the market areas, Kirkgate and North Parade.

Planners hope the package of improvements will reduce the high number of accidents on Cheapside and Manor Row.

Traders today welcomed the plans.

Jeff Frankel, chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group, said: "The scheme will make the approach to the city centre much more attractive and we give it our whole-hearted support.

"Travellers coming from Forster Square will be presented with a view of Bradford which will be much more scenic and pleasing to the eye."

Jim Griffin, vice-chairman of Bradford's Chamber of Trade, added that the project would encourage shoppers at the Forster Square development to visit the city centre.

"One of the problems with the development in Forster Square is that it's almost entirely divorced from the city centre," he said. "Anything that eases people's passage from there to the city centre must be encouraged."

The scheme will see the number of on-street parking spaces on Cheapside and Manor Row increase from 18 to 24.

The plans are set to be approved by Bradford Council's transportation, planning and design committee next Monday.

Committee chairman Councillor Latif Darr said: "The improvements will make it easier and safer for people to walk from the main shopping area to the station, retail park and to other city centre facilities.

"These will help encourage more people to shop in Bradford and help stimulate investment."

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