BRADFORD’S NCP car park is now closed ahead of its demolition.

It’s been razed as part of plans to create a new 'gateway' to the Bradford Interchange station.

What happens to the NCP now?

The car park is now closed and Bradford Council’s Highways Department said “works are going on behind closed doors”.

A spokesperson said: “Right now we are securing the site, stripping out all recyclable materials and carrying out further structural testing to determine the best method to demolish the structure.

“This work will carry on into the New Year before the main demolition starts.

“You will also see some trenching and pipe laying on Hall Ings in the near future - these are works required for the installation of a district heat network in the city centre that need to be completed before the car park is demolished.”

How does the NCP work link with Bradford Interchange?

Bradford Council purchased the NCP car park in 2017 for £4.15m, saying the site was part of long-term plans to improve the Interchange.

The car park will be replaced with a ‘pocket park’ and new walkway.

The scheme is one of four being funded by the Government through its “Transforming Cities Fund”.

It will link to another major scheme, the pedestrianisation of Hall Ings.

Both schemes, being carried out by Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, are expected to be completed by late 2024.

Other changes to the station will include relocating the taxi rank to Bridge Street.

This will allow the front of the station to be pedestrianised.

There will also be improved waiting areas as well as new baby changing, multi-faith and ‘Changing Places’ facilities, plus a new entrance to the underground car park and a new cycle hub nearby.

At a recent Council meeting, project manager Darren Badrock said: “Once we take down the NCP car park we’ll have people coming out of the station and being greeted by a much more pleasant environment that presents a better view of the city.”

How much will the Interchange works cost?

As previously reported in the T&A, the cost of the Interchange works has risen from the initial budget of £13.2m to £16.4m.

This is due to “inflationary pressures affecting construction pricing". 

The scheme will still be fully funded, with the extra costs taken from other Transforming Cities projects.