VIRTUALLY since the earliest days of Keighley and its surrounds being swallowed-up into the Bradford metropolis have those at City Hall been accused of ignoring the outlying areas.

The claims of course are always robustly denied by those in the chamber of power, who are quick to spew out figures for how much has been spent in the domains.

Granted, Keighley has received a few million pounds towards some very worthy projects – including the impressive Cliffe Castle Park improvements – and been pledged funds for other schemes.

So it’s unfair to suggest the town gets nothing.

But when you look at how much is being pumped into city centre schemes, while facilities are axed or severely cut in parts of the district, it’s hardly surprising that the accusations are made.

Many people’s perception has long been that Keighley, Silsden, Haworth etc are Bradford’s poor relations, at the back of the queue armed with begging bowls for any financial scraps.

If City Hall bosses want to convince people otherwise, and prove that to be a misconception, they may need to work a little harder.