City Centre Construction Update 1 November 2024
Above: An image of the now operational pedestrian crossing at the junction with Aldermanbury.
Welcome to the weekly e-newsletter for the Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvements Scheme.
This edition includes everything you need to know about the Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvements Scheme for the coming days. We upload each weekly newsletter to the Future Bradford website. You can find copies of each e-newsletter on our news page if you would like to look back at previous editions.
Progress update
Planting and landscaping work makes continued progress
The main news this week is on Market Street, where soft landscaping (meaning adding decorative elements like plants and grass) has made significant progress. Over 170 new plants have been planted along the street, with the new greenery now really starting to take shape.
Above: An image showing newly planted greenery in the ground level planters on Market Street.
Image showing new plants in the ground level planters on Market Street, which includes a diverse mix of greenery.
Preparations for soft landscaping work in the Bank Street area is also underway, with more greenery set to be planted in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to the e-newsletter for more updates on this.
We have also started installing new street furniture on Market Street, such as new granite seats, creating new seating areas for everyone to enjoy.
On Bridge Street, works to bring the greenery to life in this area has also made good progress, with a new large planter being installed this week in preparation for the planting to start here in the coming weeks.
New signalised crossing in operation at Sunbridge Road
A new signalised pedestrian crossing is now in operation at the bottom of Sunbridge Road, at the junction with Aldermanbury. This replaces a temporary crossing that was previously in place.
Above: An image of the now operational pedestrian crossing at the junction with Aldermanbury.
Other Progress
Paving work for the new ‘meeting circle’ located on Hall Ings, just by St George’s Hall, was also completed this week. The space will be an attractive open area, formed by two large crescent shaped planters that will form part of the major new linear park on Hall Ings.
Above: An image showing the completed paving at the new ‘meeting circle’ located on Hall Ings
Reclaimed cast iron bollards that were originally in place in other parts of the city centre were recently re-installed at the bottom of Sunbridge Road. We previously shared an update on similar work in the September 27 newsletter, where some of the bollards were reinstalled on Kirkgate.
Reminders
Changes to permitted service and residential vehicles route
Map showing the new route that permitted service and residential vehicles must follow to access the city centre core between permitted hours, which is any time before 10:30am and any time after 4:30pm each day. Vehicles should enter the one-way system via gate B (from Leeds Road) and exit via gate A (towards Cheapside).
We would like to remind road users that the access route is currently operating a 7.5 tonne weight restriction for vehicles.
Update on the closure of Bradford Interchange bus station
As shared in last week’s newsletter, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority announced that a target date of 5 January 2025 had been set for the re-opening of Bradford Interchange bus station.
Starting from Monday this week (28 October), rail passengers are now able to use the lower concourse of the Interchange, as part of it’s phased re-opening. The lifts, escalator and toilets are also in operation.
Due to the need to complete carriageway waterproofing works, which were underway before the Interchange closed, six bus stands out of a total 29 will stay out of action until at least April 2025, meaning some services will remain on-street until that time.
At the same time, the rail station access ramp will close to allow for resurfacing and the installation of new lighting and artwork. Work to transform the former taxi rank into a new public plaza area is ongoing.
Read the statement in full
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Traffic management outside the core of the city centre has been and will continue to be removed where possible, as work has begun within the very core of the city centre. See below for a detailed summary of the latest updates about the works taking place around the city centre. If you would like to view any maps relating to where work is taking place, please click here.
Please do get in touch with us via our email address (info@future-bradford.co.uk) if you have any questions about the works taking place throughout the city centre.
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Cycle Superhighway works are still taking place west of the junction with Barry Street. This work has provided wider footpaths and introduced cycle lanes. New bus shelters have also been put in place for bus routes travelling out of the city centre.
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What: Work on the new central reservation on Godwin Street between Thornton Road and Jacobs Well and the new pocket park at the bottom of Little Horton Lane continues.
Traffic management: Little Horton Lane is closed to all traffic at its junction with Godwin Street. Traffic travelling in either direction on Godwin Street is not permitted to use the new pedestrian super crossing to make a U-turn.
Why: This change will provide more space for bus stops and routes into the city and an additional bus lane on Godwin Street.
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What: At Jacobs Well, works are continuing within and around the former roundabout at Jacobs Well.
Traffic management: There will continue to be lane closures and traffic management around Jacobs Well.
Why: This work has seen Jacobs Well roundabout become a super crossing.
Click here for more details on Jacobs Well, Prince’s Way and City Park.
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What: Work is mostly complete on Croft Street and Senior Way and the new lanes are open to traffic. Works to install the new cycleway and central reserve are nearing completion on Manchester Road with the finishing touches such as soft landscaping underway.
Traffic management: Lane closures will continue on Manchester Road northbound from Croft Street to Jacobs Well.
Why: The works here are to create an additional lane on the gyratory section of Croft Street in each direction and a new cycleway on Manchester Road.
Click here for more details on Senior Way, Croft Street and Manchester Road.
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What: We are nearing completion of works on both sides of Lower Kirkgate, to construct a new cycleway and footway.
Traffic management: Market Street is now closed to traffic at its junction with Kirkgate/Lower Kirkgate/Cheapside. The new traffic-light controlled pedestrian crossing is now in operation.
Why: The works here are to widen the junction to Canal Road, to allow for improved cycle lane provision, and build a new bus shelter. This work will also create a new crossing link into the city centre at Cheapside.
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What: The installation of new drainage, kerbs and new carriageway, cycleway and footways will continue on Hall Ings.
Traffic management: Well Street and the section of Vicar Lane between Great Cross Street and Hall Ings is only open to buses and authorised traffic and the new Cyclops junction at Well Street/Vicar Lane/Hall Ings/Leeds Road is now operational. Hall Ings is now permanently reduced to one lane of traffic westbound between the junction with Vicar Lane and the junction with Drake Street.
Why: The work on Well Street has re-opened the road as a bus route, while the work on Vicar Lane has allowed for the reconnection of Vicar Lane to Hall Ings via the new ‘CYCLOPS’ junction.
Find out more
You can find out more about the scheme on the Future Bradford website or by getting in touch using the details and links below.
Get in touch if you would like to ask any questions
Email: info@future-bradford.co.uk
Write: Freepost BFD Highways
X (formerly Twitter): @bmdcHighways
Instagram: bradfordhighways
Facebook: Bradford Council Highways
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