PROJECTS that could see over £100 million spent on transforming Bradford city centre are about to take the next step forward.

The pedestrianisation of Hall Ings and Market Street, a new entrance to Bradford Interchange, and a park and ride scheme are all part of the "Transforming Cities Fund" - which will see tens of millions of pounds of Government cash spent on schemes in Bradford.

And at a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Investment Committee next Tuesday, members of the five West Yorkshire Council's will be asked to move forward to the next stage of the projects - developing a business case that will flesh out more details of the proposals before work begins.

The committee will be told that the total cost of the Bradford projects will range between £86.9 million and £102.7 million.

Schemes planned for Bradford include:

- Transforming Access to Bradford Interchange, a scheme to create a better link between the rail and bus station and the city centre. Expected to cost between £15.6m and £19.3m, it is likely that the project will involve the demolition of the existing NCP multi storey car park to create a new entrance to the station on Hall Ings.

- Active and Sustainable Transport Across Bradford City Centre. This project will cost between £27.1m and £33.2m and involve the pedestrianisation of part of Hall Ings, Market Street and improvements to the Jacob's Well roundabout. Norfolk Gardens, a small area of green space between City Hall and Hall Ings, will also be expanded.

- South Bradford Park and Ride and Expressway, which will create a 1,000 space car park near the M606, along with a terminal building. People would be able to travel by bus from the car park down Manchester Road. Costing between £26.7m and £32.7m, it will involve the creation of a two lane bus expressway on the busy corridor as well as a separate cycle lane.

- West Bradford Cycle Superhighway will see the creation of a seven kilometre, £17.5m segregated cycleway and improved pedestrian facilities from the city centre, down Thornton Road.

Bradford's bid for Transforming Cities funding was revealed late last year, and funding was confirmed when the Government announced its West Yorkshire Devolution Deal in March.

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One condition of the funding was that the projects all had to be completed by March 2023, and members of the investment committee will be asked to free up millions of pounds of the funding to draw the business cases needed for the plans to proceed.

A report to the committee highlights the potential risks to the scheme - including the Covid 19 pandemic holding up progress, the possibility that third party land may need to be used, and the requirement to consult with public transport providers.

The projects are all aimed at improving the city centre by reducing the dominance of cars, improving air quality, encouraging the use of public transport and making Bradford more attractive to pedestrians.

A report to the committee says: "In recent decades, the level and type of investments in Bradford’s infrastructure have not kept pace with its growing economy, expanding population and changing demographics."

Referring to the Interchange works, the report says: "Currently, the interchange is a poor gateway to the city centre and does not reflect Bradford’s vibrancy and economic ambition. Consequently, visitors arriving by rail or bus are given a poor impression of the city.

"Bradford Interchange could be improved as a welcoming and attractive gateway to the city. Passengers arriving by train currently negotiate a single escalator down to an unattractive concourse with a low-grade retail offer.

"Wayfinding to the city or to the buses is poor.

"The exit for rail and bus passengers is onto a cramped forecourt area and there are no sight lines to the city centre, particularly to key development sites.

"The view is dominated by a multi-storey car park and other buildings of poor architectural merit.

"Passengers walk along the busy Bridge Street, and only later does the City Hall come into view.

"The existence of City Park is not obvious, and a busy thoroughfare, Hall Ings, must be negotiated to reach."

The committee meets online next Tuesday morning.