FAQs

The Corridor Improvement Programme (CIP) is a programme of low and medium cost highway interventions on strategic highway corridors on the Key Route Network (KRN).

CIP aims to deliver benefits for all road users with an emphasis on reducing journey times, in order to improve connectivity and accessibility to economic growth sites including those located in spatial priority areas. The aim is also to improve air quality and contribute towards tackling the climate emergency.

The Area

A6177 Cutler Heights Lane Corridor: Rooley Lane, Dudley Hill Roundabout, Cutler Heights Lane and Dick Lane.

For more information on CIP2 schemes, please visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund/corridor-improvement-programme-phase-2/ (opens in a new page).

Bradford Council is responsible for delivering the scheme.

Bradford Council were awarded funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to prepare business case submissions for improvements in the A6177 Cutler Heights area in Bradford. The proposals are focused on delivering a variety of interventions, after this corridor was prioritised for investment by WYCA back in May 2020.

Bradford Council is working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority was formed in April 2014 to be the driving force for economic growth across the Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield districts and the City of York Council area. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority brings together key decision-making powers into a single body. To find out more visit: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk (opens in a new page).

The A6177 Cutler Heights Scheme covers: Rooley Lane, Dudley Hill Roundabout, Cutler Heights Lane and Dick Lane.

• Traffic congestion is a major problem on the route especially during morning and evening peak periods causing delays, particularly affecting local bus services.
• Road safety and difficulty for pedestrians crossing both the A6177 and Cutler Heights Lane 
• Poor accessibility is restricting the economic potential of the area 
• Poor air quality.

Identifying the scheme and a preferred way forward was achieved through two steps.

The first step involved appraising a wide range of possible options (the long list) against the scheme objectives and resulting critical success factors in order to determine options which should be carried forward to a short list.

The second step involved more detailed appraisal of the short listed options, including their forecasted costs and benefits in order to determine which option should be categorised as the preferred way forward. This was the option which at this stage of appraisal was likely to offer best value for money to society and include consideration of wider social and environmental effects.

The main objectives of this scheme are to:

• Reduce traffic congestion and journey times
• Encourage use of sustainable modes of transport (e.g. buses, cycles, walking)
• Improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions
• Improve road safety
• Assist with the delivery of new homes, extension of employment space and creation of new jobs close to the corridor

Enable inclusive growth through improved access to employment, education and skills opportunities.

The scheme aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and increase road safety. We want to encourage more people to use buses, walk or cycle. A key local benefit of the scheme will be improvements along Rooley Lane and Cutler Heights Lane leading into Dick Lane which will include landscaping improvements and tree planting along the corridor.  The programme also aims to improve air quality and contribute towards tackling the climate emergency.

• For pedestrians: a safer route including the removal of the existing pedestrian underpasses at the Dudley Hill roundabout which are dated and may deter pedestrians from undertaking walking trips and the provision of new and improved fully signalised pedestrian crossing facilities as part of the redesigned junctions will increase visibility, encourage greater uptake of walking trips and potentially reduce severance.
• For cyclists: segregated cycle lanes along sections of Rooley Lane and Cutler Heights Lane and Dick Lane to provide a link between the National Cycle Route 66 to the south and the Cycle Superhighway to the north. Included in the scheme proposals are two new bridges across Dudley Hill roundabout for pedestrians and cyclists.
• For motorists: reduced congestion and improved journey times.

The proposed highway improvements are designed to increase capacity, resolve existing delays and therefore unlock development opportunities, supporting economic growth in the area. Improved accessibility by various transport modes will create more opportunities for residents to access local employment. The scheme will enhance the environment for local residents, creating a more equitable network for all users.

• The proposed highway improvements are designed to address many of the accessibility issues that restrict growth in the area and create more opportunities for local employment
• Highway improvements will also help the economic growth of the wider district Landscaping proposals included within the scheme will enhance the environment for local residents
• Introduction of new cycle lanes
• Improved pedestrian environment.

Funding for the scheme is through the West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund which aims to increase employment and economic growth in the Leeds City Region.

The Leeds City Region comprises of 10 Local Authorities of which Bradford is one. To carry out these transport improvements, we are seeking *£10 million funding through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of Government investment through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

(*Subject to approval by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority)

The scheme is currently under development, with a preferred scheme to be identified by September 2021. Due to the size and complexity of the proposed works the improvements will probably be introduced in phases, with some construction work starting in late 2022. It is currently anticipated that all work will be completed by 2024.

The proposed scheme looks to improve the locality for both residents and business users. This will be achieved through improving journeys for all road users, and providing for pedestrians and cyclists. We will also look to improve air quality and improve road safety.

Improvements will support the development of housing close to the area and the creation of job opportunities.

We have programmed the improvements in the phased approach to minimise the construction impact locally.

The scheme will benefit bus users by making the services that use this corridor more reliable and help reduce journey times.

There are many local amenities in this area that could be accessed by walking such as schools and supermarkets. Currently, accessing these amenities by walking is made difficult by having to cross major roads. We want to make it easier for people to travel across the corridor, particularly using sustainable forms of transport like using public transport, walking and cycling.

We want to encourage cycling, the scheme creates safer routes for local cyclists and also those travelling through as part of a longer journey. We are proposing segregated cycle routes from Bierley Roundabout to Holmewood Road and along sections of Dick Lane. These elements help link existing cycle routes, CC2 on Dick Lane to the north and Route 66 via Bierley to the south.

Currently, the junction experiences considerable peak hour congestion which is expected to worsen as traffic levels increase in the future. The scheme involves all approaches on the Dudley Hill roundabout, as well as adjacent junctions on the corridor, being brought under full signal control, which has two key benefits:

1)    Ensures traffic flows can be better regulated, ensuring junctions operate more efficiently, therefore reducing congestion; and

2)    Enabling improved pedestrian and cycle crossing points to be provided at street level.

Detailed transport modelling has been undertaken during the design development to determine the operational impacts of the proposed scheme. This has involved using a range of modelling packages to model the future signal arrangements to ensure that they are designed to adequately accommodate forecast future traffic flows through the junction.

Bradford is preparing an air quality plan which will protect and enhance the health of everyone who lives, works or spends time in the district including the Bradford Shipley Route area. Those details can be found on the following website: www.bradford.gov.uk/breathe-better-bradford/breathe-better-bradford (external link - opens in a new window).

The scheme will improve the flow of traffic and reduce idling at junctions. This in turn will contribute to improved air quality.

The decision documents are published on the Combined Authority’s website: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund/corridor-improvement-programme-phase-2/bradford-a6177-cutler-heights/ (opens in a new window).

The schemes are currently being progressed through Outline Business Case stage as part of the Combined Authority’s assurance process, with a view to progressing to Full Business Case.

Unfortunately, due to some restrictions in line with social distancing still being in force, we are unable to hold any drop-in events or do other face-to-face consultation.. We are taking steps to make sure people in the local community know about the consultation and can have their say by putting up posters, posting leaflets and by providing information to Local Ward Councillors.

This consultation will take place from 14 June until 11 July 2021 (4 weeks).

Full details on the consultation and the survey are available via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/CutlerHeights.

We are keen to hear from local residents, businesses and commuters.

We are encouraging people to register on www.yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk to be kept involved and informed about the outcome of the consultation.

Your feedback is important, we need to demonstrate that we have taken onboard feedback as part of the on-going development of the scheme.

Leaflets and posters will be provided via door-to-door letter drop around the area. Hardcopies of the consultation materials are available and can be requested using the MetroLine telephone number 0113 245 7676.

Following the consultation period, the survey responses will be analysed and publish in an Engagement Report which will form a part of the Outline Business Case (OBC). Once this has been approved by the Combined Authority, progression will be made to submit the Final Business Case (FBC).

We are encouraging people to register on www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk to be kept involved and informed about the outcome of the consultation.