City Centre Construction Update 26 July 2024

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.

Further progress in the city centre

Further progress has been made at Broadway and Bank Street, with works moving toward the junction area and additional paving being laid around the newly installed planters, as shared in last week’s newsletter (19/07/24). Paving on Bank Street has progressed sufficiently towards the Market Street junction to allow a large area to be opened to pedestrians today (see images below).

The historic tram tracks that were excavated on Bridge Street have now been removed and will soon be taken from the site for restoration. Work is ongoing between Bradford Council and Balfour Beatty to explore ways in which the tracks can be best preserved, and possibly integrated into the new pedestrian paved areas.

Clockwise from top left: Paving being laid around ground level planters on Market Street; Bank Street looking west, where works have progressed sufficiently to open it up to pedestrians today; and Bank Street looking east.

Improving accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that key areas of the city centre where works are happening are as accessible as possible. Our construction contractor, Balfour Beatty, recently commissioned an independently-led audit of the city centre works and are currently in the process of implementing further accessibility improvements.

Improvements will be made to crossing points and footways, and introducing temporary wayfinding signage to assist people in navigating the city centre whilst works are happening.

NCP car park demolition progress

Site clearance work where the former NCP car park was located is now well underway following the successful demolition of the structure.

Transformation works to pedestrianise Hall Ings will soon be moving forward at pace following the demolition.

The works to demolish the former NCP car park will create a new green space, linking to Hall Ings and Norfolk Gardens.

You can also check out a video of how the car park is being demolished by clicking here.

*Aerial image of Hall Ings with the now demolished former NCP car park in view. The Bradford Hotel can be seen to the left of the image.*

Reminder: Temporary pedestrian crossings

Temporary pedestrian crossings have been opened across the city centre in places where works are happening.

We have included a map of the pedestrian crossing points in the core of the city centre below.

Map showing the pedestrian crossing points in the city centre. Crossings are in place at the following locations: Market Street, at the junctions with Charles Street, Bank Street and Bridge Street, as well as on Hall Ings at the junction with Bank Street.

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.
What: On Sunbridge Road, city centre scheme works are complete. Cycle Superhighway works are still taking place in this area.
Why: This work had 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.
Click here for more details on Sunbridge Road.
What: Works are continuing on the new central reservation on Godwin Street between Thornton Road and Jacobs Well.
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.
Click here for more details on Westgate and Godwin Street.
What: At Jacobs Well, works are continuing within and around the former roundabout.
Traffic management: There will continue to be lane closures and traffic management around Jacobs Well.
Since Sunday 14 April 2024, Hall Ings has been closed to all traffic from the roundabout. Northbound traffic is being guided from Manchester Road onto Prince’s Way. Southbound traffic is being guided from Prince’s Way across the new section of carriageway onto Manchester Road. Traffic is now under temporary traffic light control to allow buses to join from Hall Ings.
Why: This work will see Jacobs Well roundabout become a super crossing.
Click here for more details on Jacobs Well, Prince’s Way and City Park.
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.
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.
What: We are nearing completion of works on both sides of Lower Kirkgate, to construct a new cycleway and footway.
Traffic management: The taxi rank on Lower Kirkgate is no longer in use and has been permanently removed to make way for a new cycleway. Traffic management has been installed with two-way traffic lights on the section of Lower Kirkgate between the Midland Hotel and the junction with Cheapside, Market Street, and Kirkgate. Market Street is now closed to traffic at its junction with Kirkgate/Lower Kirkgate/Cheapside.
There is a temporary signal-controlled pedestrian crossing point in place at the junction of Kirkgate/Lower Kirkgate/Cheapside/Market Street. This is in place to ensure that pedestrians have a safe place to cross the road. Safe pedestrian routes away from the main road and works happening in this area are also in place. Signs are in place to help direct pedestrians along this route to avoid traffic on the main road.
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.
Click here for more details on Lower Kirkgate.
What: Work to construct the new road junction on Church Bank is now complete.
Why: This work will allow for the new road links in the area.
Click here for more details on Church Bank.
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 will continue to be reduced to one lane of traffic westbound between the junction with George Street and the junction with Drake Street.
The pedestrian route on the south side of Hall Ings has been re-routed to allow work on the new footway to continue between the junctions with Vicar Lane and Drake Street.
Hall Ings, between Bridge Street and Jacobs Well, is now closed to general traffic. This change is permanent. If you would like to learn more about these works and to view maps relating to this area, please visit our Hall Ings page for more information.
Why: The work on Well Street will re-open the road as a bus route, the work on Vicar Lane, allowing for, allowing for the reconnection of Vicar Lane to Hall Ings, with a new ‘CYCLOPS’ junction being introduced.
If you would like more information about what is happening across the city centre, including maps showing how the city is being transformed please visit the Future Bradford website .
Click here for more details on Well Street, Vicar Lane and Hall Ings.

Reminder: temporary closure of the Bradford Interchange bus station

Information about alternative bus stops for services unable to use the Interchange Bus Station can be found on the Metro website. You can read the Combined Authority's latest update on the closure of the Bradford Interchange Bus Station on their website.