MORE details and new images have been revealed of how Bradford city centre might look if a multi million pound funding bid to the government is approved.

Plans include the pedestrianisation of swathes of the city centre, the creation of a new park and ride from the M606 and a new cycle route along Thornton Road.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has bid for over £500 million from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund. If successful it will lead to a number of major transport and infrastructure projects across West Yorkshire.

In Bradford there would be four major transport schemes focused on the city centre and costing up to £80 million. The schemes are designed to improve public transport and provision for walking and cycling, while a better overall environment through creating new enhanced public spaces and addressing issues with air quality.

Plans at Bradford Interchange are aimed at “transforming the city’s primary gateway,” set to become a major transport hub if it becomes a key stop on the proposed new Northern Powerhouse Rail line. The plan includes the demolition of the Council owned NCP car park on Hall Ings to create a new entrance to the Interchange to create more room and a higher priority for pedestrians.

Pedestrianisation of city centre streets, park and ride and new cycleway among £500m 'Transforming Cities' bid

Hall Ings and Market Street would be pedestrianised with some bus routes reconfigured to create more space for walking and cycling, while ensuring buses and taxis can access key areas.

Jacob’s Well Roundabout will be removed, with Manchester Road and Princes Way being re-aligned.

The proposals would create new bus access along Well Street, behind The Broadway Shopping Centre, and Vicar Lane to improve connectivity to the shopping centre and Little Germany.

To facilitate plans to reduce the numbers of vehicles in the city centre, a new South Bradford Park and Ride is proposed accessible via the M606.

Featuring a new 500 space car park, the Park and Ride will be served by a dedicated, rapid peak-time bus link using specific bus lanes that will replace the current guided busway on Manchester Road.

The park and ride will include charging facilities for electric private cars and buses, and new cycle lanes along either side of Manchester Road are included in the plans.

There will also be an extension to the City Connect segregated cycle route to the west of the city – along Thornton Road.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “These plans have been developed to further increase the pace of regeneration in the city, helping us to secure more jobs and new homes for local people. They are also a crucial part of our commitments to tackle air quality and meet our climate change targets.

“It is now important that we share our proposals with the people of Bradford and the district to get their views as this bid is designed to deliver for everyone. That’s why we’ll be consulting with our communities in the new year to test and refine our plans ahead of our final plan submission in the spring.”

Following the announcement of the proposals that form the Bradford element of the Leeds City Region bid to government, Bradford Council is refining the final details of the schemes ahead of a planned public consultation, with the dates for this to be announced after Christmas.