ESTIMATED costs to build a long-awaited crossing over the busy Aire Valley trunk road have soared to more than £10 million, it has been revealed.

The figure for a planned footbridge, spanning the A629 and linking Silsden and Steeton, has almost doubled in just months.

Members of Bradford Council's executive are due to discuss the scheme next Tuesday (January 4), when they are expected to progress the plans and authorise the use of compulsory purchase orders to acquire land needed for the project.

But concerns have been voiced about the length of time the process is taking and the soaring costs.

When West Yorkshire Combined Authority agreed to move ahead with a full business case for a pedestrian bridge over the trunk road, members were told the scheme would come in at a cost of around £5.5m – and include new footpaths and cycle routes.

However, a report to the council executive reveals the anticipated cost has risen to £10.3m.

The council said the outline business case had identified several options costing around £5.5-£6m, but that the plans had changed to "incorporate far more active travel, public realm and green infrastructure improvements".

So far £800,000 has been secured, but a further £9.5m is needed and various transport investment packages – such as City Region sustainable transport settlements – are being explored.

Currently, pedestrians and cyclists have to negotiate four lanes of fast-moving traffic to cross the road. The idea of a safe crossing has been debated for years.

Bradford Council says if the latest proposals are accepted, a new ‘green’ bridge would be built and planted with a variety of vegetation.

The bridge would aim to increase active travel between Steeton and Silsden, making access to the railway station easier and safer.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw – Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport – said: “We know that local residents are keen to see this move forward so I’m pleased we’re able to bring these proposals for a bridge, to create a safe crossing over the A629, to the executive.

“The proposals for a new, green, sustainable land-bridge at this location will make it much easier to get around the area on foot or bike, making it a more popular choice for local trips.”

Craven ward district councillor Rebecca Whitaker said she welcomed progress on the scheme, which she described as “badly needed and long overdue”. But she also has concerns.

She said: “It is important for local residents to have improved and safer connectivity to the railway station, hospital and neighbouring villages, which will encourage more sustainable forms of transport. I receive a lot of communication from residents requesting better cycle routes and greener transport links.

“However, I am concerned that the report to the executive states very little other than confirming a crossing is required. Local people said at the time the trunk road was built – nearly 40 years ago – that a safe crossing was needed.

“The spiralling costs of this project are extremely worrying. It appears to have nearly doubled in price since June this year.

“The report identifies the need for investigation of land ownership and possible need for a compulsory purchase order. These conversations should have begun long ago. I speak to one landowner on a regular basis and he has told me that nobody has yet communicated with him, from Bradford Council nor the combined authority, about this project. The landowner hadn’t been made aware of the report. How can I or the public have confidence that this project is going to successfully progress if there is such a lack of communication? I am happy to help facilitate such a conversation – I believe a ‘round the table’ discussion would be very useful as there are a number of projects in this area which could be considered at the same time.

“It would be great if this scheme could be finally brought to fruition, as the road is a very busy and dangerous one to cross. Residents have been very patient – it's time the council got on with it.”