City Centre Construction Update 25 October 2024
Above: Image showing progress on Bridge Street in the city centre. Newly installed bollard sectioning off the paved pedestrian area can be seen in the foreground. A fenced off section can be seen in the background where landscaping is being undertaken.
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
Soft landscaping, which means adding decorative elements like plants and grass, and paving has continued this week.
We have received the first delivery of plants and shrubs, ready to begin planting over the coming weeks.
Above: Image shows a delivery of plants and shrubs ready to be planted around the city centre.
Fencing continues to be removed in areas where works have progressed. Today we have opened up more of Bridge Street, between Market Street and Sunbridge Road.
Above: Image of new turfing that has been planted at the Broadway and Bank Street junction. The area is currently fenced but will eventually be opened up.
Fencing continues to be removed in areas where works have progressed. Today we have opened up more of Bridge Street, between Market Street and Sunbridge Road.
Above: Image showing progress on Bridge Street in the city centre. Newly installed bollard sectioning off the paved pedestrian area can be seen in the foreground. A fenced off section can be seen in the background where landscaping is being undertaken.
Video showcases new open spaces
Watch the video here (page opens in Facebook).
Image from the video on Facebook mentioned above, with the words 'Transforming Bradford city centre' on the image. The photo is taken from Hall Ings, and includes a large planter and new paving being installed. The City Hall is in the background.
The Victorian Society's visit to Bradford city centre
The Victorian Society recently held its annual meeting in Bradford, and members were given a tour of some of the district's heritage buildings, including the City Hall.
James Grierson, Chair of the group, said that members were impressed with their visit and were happy to see that so many of Bradford’s Victorian buildings had been refurbished in recent decades.
The Chair also commented on the pedestrianisation works in the city centre, adding that the improvement works will provide a "new context" for the city’s Victorian buildings.
Northern BIDs showcase of Bradford regeneration projects
This week, representatives from nearly 20 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) from across the North of England visited Bradford to find out more about the transformation currently underway.
The Bradford BID team welcomed the visiting groups, starting off with a tour that highlighted Bradford's bold vision.
Jonny Noble, Chief Executive of Bradford BID, reflected on the significance of the visit:
"As one of the larger BIDs in the North, we understand the importance of sharing our journey with our counterparts".
"Today was particularly special for me as a proud Bradfordian. Years of hard work are coming to fruition, and it’s a moment of real pride to see the city’s transformation. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in bringing these initiatives to life. Next year, the world will have its eyes on Bradford, and we’re more than ready to show what can be achieved with dedication, passion, and belief in our place".
Find out more about Bradford BID
Update on the closure of Bradford Interchange bus station
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority have released a statement sharing that a target date of January 5 has been set for the full reopening of Bradford Interchange bus station.
From October 28, rail passengers will be able to use the lower concourse of the Interchange from midday as part of a phased reopening of the wider structure. The lifts, escalator and toilets will all be in operation from this date.
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.
Which services will return is not yet confirmed, but the Combined Authority will communicate with passengers and the public when this is known.
Extra staff will be deployed at the bus station, and printed information will be available at bus stops to keep passengers informed.
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.
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.
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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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