FAQs

The scheme covers three main junctions to the A6177 Outer Ring Road to the West of Bradford:

• Great Horton Road / Horton Grange Road
• Thornton Road / Cemetery Road
• Toller Lane / Whetley Hill

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 access to jobs and training opportunities. Improvements to transport will also help to improve air quality, and work towards tackling the climate emergency.

For more information on CIP schemes, please visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund/corridor-improvement-programme-phase-1/ (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 to the three junctions along the A6177 Outer Ring Road to the west of Bradford. The proposals are focused on delivering a variety of interventions, after this scheme was prioritised for investment by the Combined Authority in 2017.

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 objectives of this scheme are to:

• Improve journey time reliability on the western section of the A6177 Outer Ring Road – reducing variability between peak and inter-peak time periods for journeys to/from Bradford.
• Reduce congestion along the A6177 Outer Ring Road in order to improve productivity and attract new investment – by reducing business operating costs, improving accessibility and creating greater confidence in highway provision.
• Support housing growth aspirations by reducing transport constraints to development – support the delivery of 8,000 new residences by 2030.
• Improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists to encourage more active modes, reduce severance and promote economic and physical activity. Increase in active modes to be observed one year post opening.
• Improve air quality – by reducing congestion and the number of vehicles idling at the junction. To be achieved five years post opening.
• Public realm – significantly improve the attractiveness of this part of the district by improving the urban environment through the demolition of blighted buildings and the creation of an enhanced public realm. To be achieved through project delivery.
• Reduce road traffic collisions – to make travel safer, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. Achieve a 5% reduction in accidents five years post opening.

Phase 1

Public consultation on all three junctions took place in early 2019:

• Great Horton Road / Horton Grange Road
• Thornton Road / Cemetery Road
• Toller Lane / Whetley Hill

Further details are available via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/westbradford (opens in a new page)

Phase 2

Following approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) by Investment Committee on 12^th April 2019, further transport modelling work was recommended for the Thornton Road / Cemetery Road and Toller Lane / Whetley Hill junctions.

A decision was taken to progress with the Great Horton Road / Horton Grange Road junction. Details of the Phase 2A engagement and Phase 3A engagement are available below.

Phase 2A - Great Horton Road / Horton Grange Road junction

Following the engagement period, some further road improvements were suggested at this junction. This engagement stage was important as there were some small changes to the plans due to engineering / modelling / safety issues identified since Phase 2A engagement, not just due to public feedback.

Due to the changes, we wanted to  engage with the public again (Phase 3A). Further details are available via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/westbradford2A (opens in a new page).

Phase 3A - Great Horton Road / Horton Grange Road junction

Engagement on this scheme has now been completed and the Final Business Case (FBC) has been submitted and approved by the Combined Authority in April 2021.

Further details are available via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/GHR (opens in a new page).

Phase 2B - Toller Lane / Whetley Hill junction

This engagement will take place from 1^st – 28^th July.

Further details are available via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/westbradford2B (opens in a new page).

Future engagement will be held on the Thornton Road / Cemetery Road scheme.

These changes are summarised below:

• Straight ahead lanes on Toller Lane / Whetley Hill approaches to the junction
• Dedicated left turns from Carlisle Road onto Whetley Hill and from Whetley Lane onto Toller Lane
• Continuation of two lanes in both directions from the junction to the Toller Lane dual carriageway
• Installation of new traffic signals at the junction and also at the Toller Lane/Ashwell Road/Church Street junction which will both incorporate dedicated phasing for pedestrians to cross safely;
• Improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities across each leg of the junction, including the creation of two new islands within the junction
• Making Cross Road one way only for part of its length
• Making Ashwell Road exit only at its junction with Toller Lane
• Landscaping improvements including additional tree planting at various locations in close proximity to the junction.

One of the main aims of the scheme is to ease congestion and improve traffic management. As such, it is also proposed to introduce or amend existing Traffic Regulation Orders in various locations, and these are listed below:

• Left turn movements only from Ashwell Road into Toller Lane and from Church Street into Toller Lane
• One way only section along Cross Road from its junction with Toller Lane for most of its length towards Church Street
• No Waiting or Loading at any time on approaches on lengths of Toller Lane, Whetley Hill, Carlisle Road, Whetley Lane, Church Street, Ashwell Road and Cross Road as shown on the plan.

One of the main aims of the scheme is to ease congestion and improve traffic management, leading to improved journey time reliability for road users. Associated benefits are expected for public transport users, making service use more attractive. Improvements are also being made for pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and supporting better air quality locally.

To carry out these transport improvements, we are seeking 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.

The total cost of the schemes is estimated in the region of:

• Toller Lane/Whetley Hill Junction - £5.7 million*
• Thornton Road/Cemetery Road Junction - £6.7 million*
• Great Horton Road / Horton Grange Road Junction - £4.5 million*

(*Subject to approval of a full business case by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority)

Subject to approval from the Combined Authority in autumn, construction work is currently programmed to commence in late 2022. It is currently anticipated that all work will be completed early 2024.

Local residents and businesses will benefit from journey time savings and also improved reliability when travelling. Reduction in congestion will make businesses more accessible. The scheme also looks to improve air quality locally.

There will be no change to bus stop locations or services as a result of the scheme. Buses are expected to benefit from journey time savings and improved reliability.

Improvements will be made to the junctions to improve the provision for pedestrians and cyclists. This will make it safer for people in the area. In addition, landscaping is proposed as part of the design which will improve the area visually.

Transport modelling is required as part of the development of the business case to assess the merits of the scheme. Work has been undertaken at Outline Business Case and will progress further to Full Business Case.

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. Those details can be found on the following website: www.bradford.gov.uk/breathe-better-bradford/breathe-better-bradford (external link)

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-1/bradford-a6177-orr-thornton-road/

The scheme has been progressed through the Outline Business Case (OBC) stage as part of the Combined Authority’s assurance process, with a view to supporting the submission of the Full Business Case (FBC) in autumn 2021. Whilst at Outline Business Case (OBC), the schemes at Thornton Road / Cemetery Road and Toller Lane / Whetley Hill were progressed collectively, it is likely that two separate Full Business Case (FBC) documents will be developed.

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

This public engagement will take place from 1^st – 28^th July 2021 (4 weeks).

Further details on the consultation and the survey can be downloaded via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/westbradford2B.

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.

A plan of the junction together with a letter outlining details of the changes at the junction will be delivered via door-to-door letter drop around the affected area. Hardcopies of the engagement materials can be requested using the MetroLine telephone number 0113 245 7676.

Following the engagement period, the survey responses will be analysed and published in an Engagement Report which will support the submission of the Final Business Case (FBC) in autumn 2021

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.