Bradford Unveils £13m Steeton-Silsden Footbridge Plans

Plans for a £13 million pedestrian and cycle footbridge over the busy A629 road between Steeton and Silsden are progressing after years of proposals, with Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) recently holding a public consultation that garnered support from 85% of over 600 respondents. The bridge aims to improve safety by separating pedestrians, cyclists, and traffic, offering advantages over alternatives like underpasses or traffic lights, including less traffic disruption, better flood risk management, and enhanced security. The project also includes new crossing points and a ramp linking the railway station to Station Road, which received strong public backing. While the main bridge project is funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, a second phase to build connecting paths from the centers of Steeton and Silsden remains unfunded. Responding to public concerns, WYCA plans to install additional bollards to prevent unauthorized vehicle access to the bridge and is considering feasibility for equestrian use. The next steps involve submitting a planning application and developing a full business case for the project.