AUTHORITIES behind a multi-million-pound scheme to build a desperately-needed footbridge over a busy dual carriageway have pledged their commitment to delivering the project.

They issued the message this week as new concerns were raised over delays to the ambitious venture.

A structure to enable pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross the A629 Aire Valley trunk road, between Steeton and Silsden, was first mooted years ago. And in 2016, £700,000 was secured from the Government for a feasibility study.

But people are still dicing with death as they attempt to negotiate four lanes of fast-moving traffic.

Keighley Conservative MP Robbie Moore has raised the issue in Parliament, blaming Labour-led Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for the delays.

However, council leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe claims several Government changes in funding rules have hampered progress, although she and colleagues remain committed to delivering "a high-quality bridge".

Mr Moore told Commons colleagues that it took four years for the feasibility study to be completed, and costings for the scheme had soared from the initial £3.6 million to £10.3 million.

After the debate, he said: "Residents in Steeton and Silsden have been waiting far too long for this bridge to be built.

"It is high time that Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority get their act together and stop delaying this project.

"Our local Labour-run authorities are sitting on millions of pounds of taxpayers' money and their sluggish, lacklustre approach is infuriating. Money has been given to them to build the bridge by the Government and their dither and delay is incredibly frustrating, all while constituents who need to cross the busy dual carriageway continue to take their lives into their hands.

"It is unbelievable it took the local authorities four years to complete their initial feasibility study, and that it was only released in 2020, after I chased for it."

The increased cost of the scheme had put the plans in jeopardy early last year, but in the summer it was announced the project would be awarded £9m as part of the deal that saw West Yorkshire become a devolved authority.

Councillor Hinchcliffe says: "We were delighted to secure funding last August from West Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver this project, which will bring great benefit to Steeton and Silsden.

"A previous Keighley & Ilkley MP, not the current one, secured a small amount of funding which enabled us to commission a feasibility study but no further funds have been forthcoming from national Government.

"Our work to progress this project has never stopped, but we’ve had three prime ministers in the last year and even more changes in Government ministers. Every time they appoint a new minister, they change the funding rules again. It’s a Government in chaos. We’re now working quickly to update the feasibility study to bring it in line with the latest national policies before they change again.

"We want to deliver a high-quality bridge over the A629 that better connects the communities of Steeton and Silsden with each other and the local train station, and it would be great to get the support of the current MP. It will be a great investment for Steeton and Silsden."

A West Yorkshire Combined Authority spokesperson said: "We are working hard with Bradford Council to develop the crossing scheme at Steeton and Silsden, which will make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport.

"Devolution is making schemes like this possible as we deliver a better-connected West Yorkshire, with an improved transport network across the region."