The West Bradford Cycle Superhighway project has launched with work beginning on the controversial £12million scheme which has received the ire of drivers.
The new project will create 1.5 miles of segregated lanes for cyclists and motorists stretching across the West Yorkshire city.
Preliminary work began at the end of January with the main construction expected to start in April.
It will see the creation of single-lane segregated cycle routes on Sunbridge Road in the centre of the city, as well as a two-way route along Thornton Road.
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A spokesperson for the council said it would boost the number of cyclists on roads (stock image)
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Originally, £17.5million of Government funding was put forward for the cycleway, although this was revised to £12million.
A spokesperson for Bradford Council said the scheme would “provide a safer, easier, more convenient space for people to cycle between the city centre and areas to the west of the city”.
One GB News viewer, Susan from Bradford, said the £12million budget for the Superhighway was a waste of money and should be used by the council to fill potholes.
Another viewer said the scheme was “anti-motorist”, prompting Harwood to fire back calling it “pro-motorist” by taking cyclists out of the roads and into a dedicated cycle lane.
Speaking to GB News, cycling enthusiast Dave Sherry said: “Well I drive professionally in London and speed limits are 20 miles an hour.
“If the cyclist is safe to overtake there isn’t an issue. You've got to go with the flow of traffic. If a cyclist beats you then you're going slower than them.”
Emily Carver, host of Good Afternoon Britain alongside Tom Harwood, questioned whether this was part of an “anti-motorist vendetta”, especially with the numerous road traffic schemes seen in London.
Dave Sherry responded, saying: “I do feel a bit sorry for the car drivers. I drive the majority of my day behind the wheel and to be honest with you, the infrastructure for cyclists now is superseding the car drivers.
“They are going from two lanes down to one. Bus lanes are disappearing.”
Tom Harwood said that Amsterdam was the case study for many cities looking to reduce car usage and boost the number of people walking and cycling.
He highlighted how they changed the layout of roads across the Dutch capital, separating cars and cyclists, thus promoting people getting on their bikes.
An overview of the summer 2022 plan for the West Bradford Superhighway Extension shows a segregated cycle track running from the village of Thornton in the west to Bradford city centre.
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An artist rendering of the West Bradford Cycle Superhighway
BRADFORD COUNCIL
The spokesperson for Bradford Council added: “There will be single-lane segregated cycle routes on Sunbridge Road, with two-way routes along Thornton Road.
“Over 23,000 cars travel along the route each day and the scheme aims to reduce the number of people using cars on that stretch by encouraging people to cycle.”