MORE details of the planned transformation of Bradford Interchange have been revealed.

Last year the Government announced a £13.2 million scheme to improve access to Bradford's Interchange station in the city centre.

Part of its Transforming Cities Fund package for Bradford, the work would include the existing Hall Ings NCP car park being demolished and a new Hall Ings entrance to the site created.

The work would tie in with another Transforming Cities Fund project - the pedestrianisation of swathes of the city centre, including the area of Hall Ings in front of the station.

This week new documents, submitted by SLC Property on behalf of Bradford Council, reveal more details of the planned works.

A "screening opinion" - a document that acts as a precursor to a full planning application, has been submitted for the scheme.

It reveals that although the existing NCP will be demolished, other buildings next to the site - The Queen pub, Buzz Bingo, Bradford Hotel and Azuma Restaurant, will be retained.

The document says: "At present, the interchange is of poor-quality design and functionality and does not meet modern standards for accessibility. It also lacks any sense of ‘gateway’ to the city centre and its design serves as a physical barrier between those arriving in the north of Bradford city centre via train and bus."

£13 million scheme to improve Interchange access, and demolish car park, still on track despite new station proposals

The first part of the development would be the demolition of the NCP car park, which was purchased by Bradford Council in 2017 to secure the site for a future Interchange development.

The documents say: "It is anticipated that the NCP car park area would remain as ‘made ground’ for some time (likely to be a period of approximately 18 months) while the rest of the scheme is under demolition and construction."

A tree lined walkway would be created to link Hall Ings to Bridge Street and the Interchange.

The taxi rank and other sections of the station would also be demolished and re-built, although this part of the work may not be included in the initial planning application.

The documents say the work will involve: "the relocation of the taxi rank from the north of the site to the south, to be located in the section of the current station car park closest to the railway station and adjacent to the railway line."

The new Bridge Street entrance would leave space for retail or leisure units.

It says the existing station does not fit in well with Bradford's grand architecture, adding: "Traditional building materials– particularly stone – and an ornate Victorian styling is prominent. In contrast, the site itself has not been designed with the language of the architectural form of the surrounding streets. It is noticeably 20th century in style with concrete a predominant material.

"The proposed development would improve integration with the proximate heritage assets and allow these to be viewed more easily upon arrival into the interchange, thereby showcasing the historic character of Bradford City Centre.

"Whilst it is a 21st century design which meets modern standards for accessibility and which uses contemporary design and engineering practices, the vast open spaces, high-level glazing and the grandeur of the passenger transit experience are reflective of the design aspirations of Victorian stations, thus bringing the ideals of the Conservation Area designs to the scheme."

Despite the plans for the Interchange, its long tern future is uncertain.

Earlier this year Bradford Council announced that if the city is named as a stop on the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail line, a new station would be built at the St James Market site off Wakefield Road.

As well as being the high speed rail line stop, the station would host the facilities currently provided at the Interchange, with the site becoming a "very valuable" development site.

If Bradford was named as an NPR stop, this new station would likely open in 2030.

But Bradford Council has said that even if this move does go ahead, the Interchange improvements would still take place to "bring the Interchange up to standard until Northern Powerhouse Railway Station proposals can be finalised."