IN relation to ‘Bradford Met’, can the head of the said council explain how it – after having to be rescued from bankruptcy a short time ago – can afford to spend millions of pounds on the city centre improvements, including cycleways and now I note electric bikes, which seemingly are being paid for by Clean Air Zone income (really?)?

Perhaps if the council spent its – or should I say, our – money on providing services to all the districts covered by the inept organisation, a fairer outcome would be witnessed.

Maybe the council should be reminded that outlying areas have needs much greater than electric bikes, and some thought should be given to such areas which no doubt pay more per capita into the coffers than the city slickers.

Oh, and remind the said financial gurus to save a bob or two for the Steeton-Silsden footbridge, which is a priority, or so stated. And if a few pence could be spared, open the local waste disposal sites that have been shut down. The other amenities closed are too many to mention.

Brian Hinchliffe, Marsh, Oxenhope

* A Bradford Council spokesperson says: “Keighley and the Worth Valley is a hugely important part of the district and our work has always reflected that, such as the successful delivery of the Hard Ings Road improvements for £10m and maintaining Keighley Library as a jewel in the crown of our libraries service.

“The work in the city centre is being delivered through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme. This is a capital grant transport fund, provided by the Department for Transport, and cannot be used for other purposes, such as delivering day-to-day services or other projects.

“Likewise, revenue from the Clean Air Zone has strict rules on what it can be spent on and includes provision to support sustainable transport schemes. Again this money cannot be used to deliver day-to-day services.

“There are lots of projects currently being delivered in areas across the district including money from the Towns Fund in Keighley, where in partnership with the private sector we secured £33.6m of Government funding to support businesses and organisations, as well as a programme of regeneration initiatives such as the Providence Park industrial hub which is already well underway.

“Recently we also saw the launch of our year as UK City of Culture in 2025, and it was great to see the programme include a number of high-profile events in Keighley and the Worth Valley, including moorland art installations at Penistone Hill, an exclusive performance of The Railway Children in Oxenhope and an Ice Age exhibition at Cliffe Castle. These are only possible because the council supported the bid and has invested in the programme, which reflects our priorities to see Keighley and the Worth Valley receive investment along with the rest of the district.”