Green Party hits out at plan to build £ 64m link road in city

BRADFORD Council has been criticised for moving ahead with plans for a link road in the south of the city.

The Green Party has accused the council of “acting like a dictatorship” over plans for a £ 64m road that will link the Westgate Hill roundabout with the east of the city.

The aim is to reduce congestion on Tong Street and the Holme Wood Area, as well as “unlocking” sites for future development. The council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority are still pushing forward with the plans, which angered the Green Party.

Green Party representative Matt Edwards said: “Bradford Council should not be wasting taxpayers’ money on a scheme that may not see the light of day.”

He said the council must listen to “the thousands of local people who objected”.

Julia McGoldrick, from the Tong and Fulneck Valley Association, said: “This is a kick in the teeth for all the local people who want to see this precious area of green space between two of the country’s largest cities protected for future generations.”

Councillor Alex Ross- Shaw, executive for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “A potential access road in south Bradford is just one of a wide range of transport projects we’re looking at for the Bradford district, including high- speed rail through the city centre and mass transit for the region, both of which would be hugely transformative for sustainable transport.

“I think the Green Party misunderstand the process and how it works. At all times we’ve followed due process for the potential access road.

“The remit of the scrutiny committee was purely to comment on the procurement, as all contracts over £ 2m go to committee.

“We want the best possible outcome which will benefit local people and we are exploring the options to look at their relative advantages and impacts.”