Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on their assessment of proposals for (1) the preservation of the Queensbury Tunnel, and (2) the use of that tunnel as part of a cycleway between Queensbury and Keighley.

The Department has agreed to provide up to £1 million for two studies to inform a decision on possible future uses of the tunnel. The studies are considering what would need to be done, and how much it would cost, to return the tunnel to a safe and usable condition, as well as options for possible new cycling and walking routes in the area. The work is being overseen by a steering group comprising representatives from the Department for Transport, Highways England, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council. Both studies are due to be complete by March 2021.