External work on the latest Townscape Heritage Initiative project will be complete before the Tour de France passes through Keighley.

There will be no scaffolding on the Jean Junction building in High Street when townspeople gather to watch the cycle race next July.

The pledge has been made by Sue Oakley, the Bradford Council officer overseeing the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

Miss Oakley outlined prog-ress on the THI in a report to Keighley Area Committee last Thursday.

THI is allocating £2.7 million of council and Heritage Lottery Fund bash to Keighley to bring town centre buildings back to their Edwardian and Victorian glory.

The focus of the new report was on the Jean Junction building at 3 High Street, which Miss Oakley described as a Priority One project.

She said: “The building is Grade II listed, and is one of the most high-profile buildings in the area. The work will be programmed so all scaffolding is down by the Tour de France.”

Miss Oakley told councillors improvements will include external repairs and structural work, a new internal staircase and reinstatement of sash windows and shop front details.

The High Street property was built in 1876 by the Duke of Devonshire.