Steeton and Silsden bridge, the total projected cost has spiralled

From T & A – 22nd January 2026

The scheme – for a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A629, between Steeton and Silsden – was first proposed years ago, but has been beset by delays.

And the total projected cost has spiralled.

Now Keighley Conservative MP Robbie Moore has raised the issue in Parliament, and will have discussions with a transport minister.

He told the Commons: “The latest cost projection by Labour-run Bradford Council for building a pedestrian bridge between Silsden and Steeton, over a busy dual carriageway, is now a whopping £24 million – and the proposed design looks like some bizarre Scalextric track.”

In response to a request, Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander said a ministerial meeting would be arranged.

The proposed £13m phase one of the scheme includes, in addition to the bridge, a toucan crossing at the A6034 and pedestrian and cycle paths.

Latest predictions are that the bridge will open in the spring of next year.

Mr Moore says:

“In 2016, West Yorkshire Combined Authority was awarded £700,000 by the Government to carry out a feasibility study.

“The study took four years to complete and concluded simply that a bridge was required.

“Initial cost estimates of £3.6 million later rose to £10.3 million by 2022. Local authorities are now citing a total scheme cost of £24 million once associated cycle routes, paths and crossings are included.

“This is all getting ridiculous. We are now talking about 11 years to deliver a simple pedestrian bridge. For reference, the Prince of Wales Bridge – the second longest structure of its kind in the UK – took just six-and-a-half years to plan and build.

“I welcome the offer of a ministerial meeting and will be making it absolutely clear that this project needs to be delivered without any further delay. It should not be this hard to build a bridge.”

But Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw – Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport – says:

“Robbie Moore is stating many inaccuracies.

“Firstly, the Prince of Wales Bridge he mentions was first subject to a study in 1984. It was not opened until 1996. That is 12 years, not six. Large bridges over major highways take time to deliver.

“Secondly, the current cost estimate for the bridge is £13m, not £24m. The original money we secured with his predecessor, Kris Hopkins, was only for £700,000 for a feasibility study. There was no commitment from his Government to support the scheme any further. Neither has he secured any funding for the delivery of this project himself. It is the West Yorkshire mayor who is investing in it.

“Bradford Council secured further funding to develop proposals in more detail and as that work continued we had to re-scope the project to take into account new rules brought in by the MP’s own Government and pass the assurance processes they put in place. This meant ensuring that accessibility for cyclists, wheelchair users and pedestrians was incorporated throughout the scheme.

“As has already been made clear, the site is geographically complex, due to land ownerships, flood plain status and ground conditions.

“We all want to see a bridge delivered here; it’s something residents have wanted for a long time and that is why Bradford Council has pushed for investment to make it a reality.

“This is a good scheme for Steeton and Silsden and one we remain determined to deliver.”

Food for thought

The current estimated cost for the A59 Kex Gill relief road is £82.5 million

The current cost of what should be a simple bridge, across the A629 is £24 million

Who will use a bridge which goes round in circles :

  • Not a cyclist, it will be easier to go around the roundabout
  • Some pedestrians who like a view of the cars whizzing by, getting wet and blown away.
  • Wheelchair users? Very doubtful.
  • Mothers with pushchairs? Very doubtful.
  • For horse riders, this will be a very expensive public facility.
  • Half the population of Silsden are not really within walking distance of the proposed bridge. If it is a 30-minute walk to the station, most people would take a bus, drive, or take a taxi, and don’t forget there is the journey back home at the end of the day.

Why do we want a bridge across the A629? – because there isn’t a reliable or frequent bus service! 

With only a fraction of the money,

A shuttle bus could be provided which calls at locations around Silsden, Steeton, Airedale Hospital and Cringles. If you only had to wait 10-15 minutes for a bus, why would you walk, drive or get a taxi?

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