Keighley & Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has met with Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood to press for urgent action on the long-delayed pedestrian bridge between Silsden and Steeton and to challenge its cost and design.
It comes after the local MP likened the £24 million proposals to a "bizarre Scalextric track" in the Commons, with local residents calling the design “senseless”, “bizarre” and “absurd”.
During the meeting, Mr Moore presented the Minister with the photos of design concept and cost projections from Labour-run Bradford Council and local transport authorities, which now put the total scheme cost at around £24 million.
He also gave a detailed briefing on the safety risks faced by residents forced to cross the busy dual carriageway without a dedicated pedestrian crossing.
Mr Moore criticised the current 'mega-structure' proposals, warning that an over-complicated design risks further delays and spiralling costs when what residents need is an affordable bridge delivered as quickly as possible.
Following the meeting, the Minister said she would raise the issue with local authorities and transport organisations in charge of the project .
The bridge has been in development for more than a decade, with feasibility funding first awarded in 2016.
Initial cost estimates of £3.6 million have risen repeatedly, reaching £10.3 million by 2022 and now an estimated £24 million once associated works are included.
Construction is not currently expected to begin until at least 2027.
Commenting, Robbie Moore MP said:
“Following on from my intervention in Parliament, I have now met with the Minister for Local Transport Lilian Greenwood MP to discuss the utterly bizarre designs for the long-awaited Silsden-Steeton bridge and the ridiculous spiralling of costs.
It is clear that we do not need a Scalextric-style mega-structure to cross a road. As one Keighley News reader put it, “this is a classic case of taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut”. The Minister has agreed to take this up with local authorities and the transport organisations in charge of the project.
In the meantime, I will be continuing to make it clear to all levels of government that this project needs to be delivered without any further delay and without the overcomplicated design or staggering cost.”
