Green councillors are calling for a free city centre bus service to tackle congestion and reduce pollution.

They want Bradford Council to work with Metro, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, on whether it would be feasible and to report back by the end of the year.

Councillor Kevin Warnes (Green, Shipley) said it would be a free service based on schemes in Leeds and Huddersfield.

He said: "We are asking the executive to properly look at the feasibility of such a scheme and perhaps fund it from the next budget.

"The city centre would be covered initially but what we would like to see in the longer term is a free or heavily-subsidised service being rolled out across the district.

"That would also contribute to the economic regeneration of Bradford as a whole and it would also enable people to get round the city centre more easily and play a part in reducing out carbon emissions."

The proposal follows trials in the past year by the Council of a battery-powered minitram and an electric-diesel bus to see which could cope with the city's streets.

Passengers were able to hop on between Bradford Interchange, Forster Square station and the main shopping areas.

During the first free 35-day pilot in October more than 1,400 people used the minitram. And feedback showed that 94 per cent wanted a permanent service in Bradford, 92 per cent said they would use it and 83 per cent said it would encourage them to visit the city centre more often.

Discussions are taking place with Metro to implement a six-month trial. The transport group has recently extended a trial of city centre buses in Leeds and is due to start a similar scheme in Huddersfield in November. After the end of the pilot schemes further funding would need to be found with sponsorship an option.

A full council meeting backed the Greens' plan. Councillor Matt Palmer (Con, Wharfedale) said: "The concept presents an opportunity and is most likely to be successful if pursued in conjunction with Broadway and the redevelopment of the city centre."

But he said someone would have to pay to run it.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk