Underground cycleway too costly, say government

Campaigners hoping to convert a former railway tunnel into a cycle-way have been told the passage is to be made "permanently inaccessible" after the proposal was deemed too expensive.

In a letter to the Queensbury Tunnel Society, transport minister Lilian Greenwood said work to transform the tunnel, which is maintained by National Highways, did not offer "best value for the public purse" in a "challenging fiscal environment".

She said, as a result, she was in favour of work to "stabilise the tunnel shafts", which campaigners say would bring an end to their hopes of transforming it into a walking and cycling route linking Bradford, Halifax and Keighley.

Norah McWilliam, leader of the Queensbury Tunnel Society, said: "The government is making an investment in destruction to satisfy the needs of a roads body that only cares about its own narrow interests."

National Highways inherited the 1.4mile (2.2km) long tunnel after the privatisation of British Rail and abandonment would reduce its liabilities.

Re-use of the tunnel as a greenway was first proposed as a Tour de France legacy scheme in 2014 after the Grand Depart of the world-famous cycle race was held in Yorkshire.

Between 2018 and 2021 National Highways spent £7.2m on strengthening the tunnel, saying the work would "prevent further uncontrolled collapses, ensuring that any future plans for the re-use of the structure can be realised".

Campaigners say work to complete the project would cost in the region of £16m.

A feasibility study, published by cycle charity Sustrans earlier this year, found that the route would improve local connectivity and generate £3 in social, economic and tourism benefits for every £1 spent on it.

Ms McWilliam said: "Why are National Highways managing structures like Queensbury Tunnel, why are the government not shifting responsibility for the tunnel and other historic infrastructure to a department who really understand the public benefits of greenways and how to repurpose heritage structures?"

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "Given the continued deterioration of the Queensbury Tunnel, and in the absence of local funding to develop it as a transport link, National Highways has been instructed to carry out works to maintain public safety.

"This has been a difficult decision but ultimately, we have a responsibility to safety and delivering value for the taxpayer".

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, who previously campaigned for the tunnel to be reopened said while she shared the disappointment of campaigners she understood the government's decision.

She said: "The Government had to act quickly to secure the site, and the realities of public finances meant a difficult decision needed to be made."

In 2024 Bradford Council said that while it was "supportive of restoring the tunnel in principle" it was unlikely to be able to fund further and would instead focus on other active travel projects.

Campaigners are due to meet with Greenwood in London later this month to discuss her decision.

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