BUILDING work could begin next month on the long-awaited new Silsden Primary School.

Bradford Council this week revealed it had appointed a contractor to carry out construction work due to last at least 16 months.

The council expects the new countryside campus, which will replace two cramped sites in the town centre, to open for pupils around Easter 2021.

News of the start date was welcomed this week by politicians, including Craven ward councillor Adrian Naylor who had campaigned for several years for a replacement school.

He said: “It’s great news that we’re finally getting a start on site for the school, which is desperately needed.

“I’m delighted to see the children of Silsden getting a new facility that will aid in their education and hopefully deal with the increasing number of houses in Silsden.”

News of the project was revealed in a progress report sent this week to Bradford councillors representing Craven ward.

Project manager Darren Hindle wrote that the council had concluded its competitive tender evaluation process, and the successful contractor had been appointed.

He added: “We are aiming to hold a pre-start meeting with the School Leadership Team mid-November with a view to starting on site by the end of November/early December. The programme we are working to should see a completion expected spring 2021 with the school opening around Easter 2021.”

The 640-place school will be built on fields off Hawber Cote Lane, above Silsden Park, replacing existing buildings on the former Hothfield Junior and Aire View Infants sites.

The new site borders residential streets, prompting concerns from residents, and the council has proposed traffic management measures.

Keighley MP John Grogan this week said that, having visited the existing school, he knew how much the new school was eagerly anticipated by staff and pupils.

He said: “At least there is now a definite date for completion. Some of the new school’s neighbours will be watching carefully arrangements for parking and traffic about which there were strong representations at the planning stage.”

Craven ward councillor Rebecca Whitaker, while glad the council was “finally getting on with” building the school, expressed concern about potential traffic problems as hundreds of parents tried to get the children to and from school.

She said: “It’s going to be an absolute nightmare. I’m concerned about the site’s implications for the road system. The scheme is potentially sited in the wrong area of Silsden.”

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “This development will see Silsden Primary School move onto a single site from its current split site with brand new facilities and this will provide the school with a modern, first-class learning environment.”