A £35,000 project to extend Bingley’s market square to include a conservation zone aims to reclaim the area’s “old world charm”.

Work has been going on to extend the square across Queen Street up to the shop frontages after Shipley Area Committee allocated £25,000 to improve the town centre.

Workers have been relaying the cobbles in the street, which will also be pedestrianised to encourage a cafe culture in the area.

Minor alterations are also due to be made in Airedale Street as that will remain one of the approaches into Queen Street car park.

Town centre manager David Dinsey said the original plan for the square in 2007 to go up to the shop frontages was unaffordable.

He said: It’s bringing back some of the heritage. In all, it’s going to cost about £35,000. We have replaced all the cobbles and got some more in. We can then use the area for a market if we want to – it extends the square and makes the place more open. It encourages a cafe culture as well.”

Mr Dinsey said the work was expected to take about another three weeks to complete.

Jamie Illingworth, Bingley Chamber of Trade president, said: “It’s an excellent idea. I think it will help to close off what was quite a dangerous little area, from a road traffic point of view.

“It will open up the square for events and it will be great for the cafe culture.

“It’s just another good improvement to the town really, an asset to the town centre.”