Transport is key to creating `Digidale'

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Tuesday 3rd Aug 2004.

Transport links must be improved to help develop the economic future of the Aire Valley, a survey has revealed.

And according to the research, funding could prove to be the main obstacle in carrying out ambitious plans to develop the area into Europe's centre of digital communications.

A consultation exercise which involved more than 120 people from private-sector businesses and organisations across the area was carried out at the official launch of the Aire Valley masterplan.

Delegates at the launch stressed that transport needed to be developed in the Aire Valley, and said the road infrastructure, congestion problems and links to the motorway network had to be improved.

The image of the Aire Valley was seen as a factor which had to be improved to increase the area's desirability and education and training needs were viewed as being important problems to overcome.

Delegates also voted that transport improvements would make the biggest difference to the Aire Valley, and stressed that public transport should be improved.

The availability of funding was seen as a major stumbling block to carrying out the masterplan, with government policy and red tape also seen as a problem.

The masterplan document will set out how Bingley, Keighley and Shipley could be developed.

Mick Milner, managing director of Leach and Thompson Foundry in Keighley and a member of the Airedale Partnership's Board, said: "With more than 40 per cent attendance from the private sector the board was extremely pleased with the constructive responses received at the launch in June.

"Further consultation is being sought from a wide range of businesses and organisations in Airedale and we look forward to receiving feedback from them to help to formulate the masterplan and strategy for Airedale."

Mr Milner said about 400 businesses and organisations had also been sent a questionnaire.

Arup has been employed by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward to create the masterplan, which would compliment Bradford city centre's ambitious redevelopment and could lead Airedale to become known as "Digidale".

The research will be used to help formulate the masterplan which will be completed by next spring, after a public consultation and a further networking event in January.

The Telegraph & Argus reported in June how at the masterplan's launch Mike Osborne, project manager for the plans, said a rail link to Leeds-Bradford Airport was crucial as it would connect the area to international markets.

Arup's blueprint is costing £475,000 and the consultants are heading a consortium which aims to improve investment potential in Bingley, Keighley and Shipley.

The Airedale Partnership is working to build on the growth of knowledge-based industries in the area and is helping to draw up the masterplan.

The masterplan aims to build on the success of existing hi-tech firms such as Pace and Filtronic to turn Bingley, Shipley, Saltaire and Keighley into centres of cutting-edge technology by 2020.

Further developments could include a digital college in Shipley, a financial sector in Bingley and a glass tower housing the research and development headquarters of a nano-technology and robotics firm in Keighley.

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