A LONG-awaited masterplan for Silsden will move a step closer this week when Keighley MP John Grogan meets local councillors.

Mr Grogan is the latest politician to call for overarching strategy to help the town meet the challenges of massive housebuilding, overcrowded schools and pressure on local services.

He will chair a meeting on Friday, June 1 with town and district councillors and public bodies.

Mr Grogan said: “The problem at the moment is that there are a whole load of piecemeal developments going on in Silsden with none of them big enough to provide the funds necessary for new infrastructure including roads.

“The current application for the much-needed new primary school is a case in point where a new road access to the site could solve some of the anticipated problems.

“There is a case for Bradford Council exploring the possibility of assembling land by compulsory purchase so that a masterplan could be developed. I know local councillors have suggested something similar in recent years.”

The meeting will look at the creation of a footpath from Airedale Hospital to the Silsden/Steeton railway station, and the feasibility of a new footbridge linking Steeton with Silsden over the Aire Valley trunk road.