Transformation of Bradford City Centre

Bradford city centre has been transformed into a modern, sustainable, and people-focused hub.

Through a once-in-a-generation investment through the Transforming Cities Fund the city centre now has:

A blue and white line drawing of a park bench with a leaf growing in the backrest, a street lamp nearby, on a black background.

12,000m²

new green space

2.4km

of cycle lanes

Blue outlined bicycle on a black background.

1.6km

of pedestrianised streets

Neon-style outline of an adult and a child walking, with concentric circles in the background, on a black background.

The project was awarded the Infrastructure Project of the Year Award, as well as the Best of the Best Award at the Yorkshire & Humber Constructing Excellence Awards. 

Learn more about the journey of this transformation and how it’s contributing to the Bradford district… 

A city park with walking and biking paths, green lawns, trees, and benches, surrounded by historic buildings and a clear blue sky.

Why change was needed

For decades, Bradford’s city centre was built for traffic, not people. Busy roads like Market Street, Bridge Street and Hall Ings acted as barriers, making it harder for people to walk between areas.

Walking and cycling often felt unsafe or inconvenient, leaving few real alternatives to driving. Public spaces weren’t designed for a modern city, and many areas felt cut off or underused. The dominance of traffic meant there was little room for events, outdoor dining, or the kind of lively, welcoming spaces that bring people together.

Change was needed to put people back at the heart of the city.

Delivering the vision

Consultation Phase 1 (Summer 2021)

The first round of consultation sought feedback on the early-stage proposals to understand what improvements could be made as part of the development of the scheme. In total, 305 consultation responses were recieved, with 1, 194 visitors to the project website during the consultation period.

Consultation Phase 2 (Summer 2022)

This second round of consultation aimed to explain the changes to the scheme following the first round of consultation – many of them as a result of feedback from phase one. In total, 276 consultation responses were received, with 2,300 visitors to the project wesite during the consultation period.

Construction Phase 1 (Summer 2023 - Spring 2024)

The first phase of construction focused on enabling works around the outer roads of the city centre, including Manchester Road, Croft Street, Princes Way, Godwin Street, Sunbridge Road, Kirkgate, Westgate, Lower Kirkgate, and Vicar Lane.

Construction Phase 2 (Spring 2024 - Spring 2025)

The second phase of construction concentrated on pedestrianising the core city centre roads, including Hall Ings, Market Street, Bank Street, Broadway and parts of Little Horton Lane and Bridge Street, while creating new green spaces and improving walking and cycling infrastructure. Phase two also included the construction of the new 10,000m² park area at Norfolk Gardens, featuring new trees, planting, seating, and communal meeting spaces for all to enjoy. The opening of Norfolk Gardens in April 2025 marked the completion of the £45 million transformation of the city centre.

The project was delivered by Bradford Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, with Balfour Beatty as the principal contractor and Sweco UK providing design and engineering expertise.

  • A city park with green grass, blooming pink and green trees, benches, and people walking and sitting. In the background, there are modern and historic buildings under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
  • A lush park with green grass, blooming trees, and wildflowers, with a historic stone building and modern office buildings in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Outline of a van with a large window and four rectangular windows on the side, depicted in dark blue lines.

Better transport and connectivity

Upgraded active travel options have made the city centre safer and easier to access for people across the district. New pedestrian crossings and junction improvements, cycle lanes and walkways to encourage healthier travel options and reduced reliance on cars.

A minimalist line drawing of an outdoor park scene with a park bench, a potted plant, and a street lamp with a leaf next to the bench.

A greener, healthier city

The expanded green spaces, complete with 178 new trees, have made the city centre more attractive while helping to improve local air quality and increase biodiversity. Features like Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) help manage rainfall, making the city centre more resilient to flooding. Fewer cars also mean cleaner air, less noise pollution and more vibrant public spaces.

Line drawing of a bus with three windows, two wheels, and a windshield, depicted in shades of dark blue on a black background.

Boost for businesses and community life

A 25% increase in footfall has boosted local shops, cafes, and services, supporting both jobs and small businesses. With enhanced lighting, safer crossings, and accessible routes, city centre spaces are now more welcoming and inclusive for all ages and backgrounds.

A park with green grass, trees, and paved walkways surrounded by historic and modern buildings in an urban setting.

Ready for culture and celebration

Our new greener city centre, with large, attractive public spaces, makes Bradford a city capable of hosting major cultural events and welcoming millions of additional visitors.

The spaces have already been supporting Bradford as the UK City of Culture 2025, which is expected to attract 3.3 million additional visitors and generate nearly £140 million in visitor spending