INITIAL site investigation work is due to start next week in preparation for a new multi-million-pound industrial estate in Keighley.

As part of the first phase of the project, which will last for several weeks, a full survey of the eight-acre Bradford Council-owned site – at Beechcliffe, near the Hard Ings roundabout and west of the A629 – will be carried out.

A footpath and cycle route through the site will be temporarily closed.

The industrial estate development is being supported with up to £6m from the Government-financed Keighley Towns Fund.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, says: "This is an incredible opportunity to develop a redundant brownfield site which has been allocated for employment use for more than 30 years.

"The town needs more, modern industrial accommodation to meet demand, and this scheme will go some way to addressing that."

Liz Barker, acting chair of Keighley Towns Fund, says: "The £6m allocation is from a very specific fund targeting the redevelopment of identified brownfield sites, taking the pressure off greenfield land. The aim is to increase the supply of business accommodation in Keighley, which will bring a significant economic boost for the area."