WORK is to start at last on a £2 million scheme to shore up a crumbling Keighley riverbank.

Concerns – and safety fears – have been voiced for years over erosion alongside the River Aire at popular Marley playing fields.

Large chunks of the banking have collapsed into the water.

Temporary fencing has been in place for some time in a bid to keep people away from the affected area.

The playing fields – which sit between the river and the Aire Valley trunk road – are on the site of a former tip, and worries have also been voiced about the type of waste materials emerging from the eroding soil and entering the watercourse.

As well as being used by sports teams, the Bradford Council-owned site hosts events – including the annual Keighley Show

– and is popular with dog walkers.

Two years ago, Keighley Show organisers changed the showground layout to keep people away from the affected area.

Amongst those who has been keen to see work start is Keighley East councillor Caroline Firth.

She requested an update on the scheme at the latest full council meeting.

Councillor Firth says: "This issue is long standing and is one that my ward colleagues and I have been concerned about for some time.

"The site has been a danger to people as well as the environment, so it’s good news that specialist teams from the council and Environment Agency have been able to work together to find a solution and funding."

Bradford Council says preparatory work has already begun ahead of the scheme proper getting underway.

A spokesperson says: "The project to remediate the riverbank at Marley has been designed and is planned to start this spring when the river levels allow works to begin from the riverbed.

"Work started this month on removing trees within the working area along the top of the bank. Plans to replace the trees removed will be implemented as part of the scheme."

The works to repair the banking will include creating a rock revetment – a sloping structure to hold back water – in the river, and regrading the bank for the length of the landslip.

Originally the scheme was budgeted at £500,000, but last year it was revealed the figure had risen to around £2m.

The Marley Activities and Coaching Centre complex is one of the biggest outdoor sports facilities in the Bradford district. The site also has an indoor sports hall and meeting rooms.