Innovative bus lanes in the middle of roads could be built in Bradford as part of a multi-million pound transport scheme.

The "guided" bus routes have been pioneered in Leeds and hailed a resounding success by the Government. Now an independent transport consultant has recommended separate schemes on two major routes in Bradford.

Bradford's first park and ride projects and traditional bus lanes are also included in the package recommended for the south side of the city.

The infrastructure alone for the schemes will cost more than £12 million and the Council would need Government funding.

The "guideway" bus system would enable normal buses with specially fitted wheels to use the lanes and by pass congestion on busy routes.

The vehicles would run as normal on local roads.

But they would lock into the special sections where concrete kerbs would automatically steer them smoothly in and out of the city.

Councillor Jack Womersley, deputy chairman of the Council's transportation, planning and design committee, which will consider the consultants' report this week, said there were problems in traditional lanes through misuse and indiscriminate parking.

The study by the MVA consultancy was commissioned by the Council and West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority. It was confined to a segment bound by the A641 Manchester Read corridor and the A650 Wakefield Road/Tong Street corridor.

It recommends that further development work should be carried out on:

A guided bus lane on Manchester Read from the south of Odsal Top.

Guided bus and bus lane schemes on the A650 from Westgate Hill, Drighlington to the city centre.

Park and ride schemes with a total of 800 car spaces at the Drighlington bypass roundabout and Odsal Top.

Head of transportation and planning Alan Mainwaring will tell the committee the schemes would need Government funding and a potential contribution from the bus operators.

If the package is improved in principle further studies will be carried out by the Council and Metro.

Coun Womersley said: "The Council is committed to developing an integrated, balanced transport policy and we would hope for financial support from the Government."

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