Budget problems threatens vital work

10.28.48am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 19th Jan 2005

Idle and Thackley Councillor Ann Ozolins discusses traffic problems at Greengates with a local resident

Vital transport links to Bradford North are under threat according to Cllr David Ward, chairman of the Bradford north Area Committee.

Cllr Ward said,

" The improvements to both Manchester Road the junction between Staygate and the M606 have overspent by £560,000.

Bradford has asked the government to pay for this but if they refuse the money will have to be found from the Local Transport Plan budget. Vital schemes like the Greengates junction and the Apperley Bridge Station could be delayed as a result.

I want the Executive to give an assurance that if the Government fails to pay up, these two schemes will not be delayed, or worse still, lost."