AN £8 MILLION scheme to improve one of Bradford’s busiest junctions have gone out to public consultation.

Plans for the Cemetery Road/Thornton Road junction include new turning only lanes, better pedestrian crossings, new tree planting and the inclusion of a cycleway.

The changes will stretch from the entrance to the Victoria Shopping Centre to just past Lane Ends Close, and are intended to make the junction easier to navigate for pedestrians and cyclists.

It would also make it easier for buses to pass through the junction without getting caught in traffic.

Work will begin later this year and end in Summer 2024.

The changes will include:

  • Dedicated turns and straight ahead lanes to reduce congestion 
  • Improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities across each leg of the junction, including the creation of new islands within the junction to improve road safety
  • Left turn movement only from West Park Road into Thornton Road
  • Landscaping improvements near the junctions, including “significant additional tree planting and a new green space”
  • New waiting restrictions and No Waiting or Loading areas to improve traffic flow
  • Incorporation of the proposed dedicated cycleway along Thornton Road from the city centre

Expected to cost around £8m, the project is being funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The proposed layout of the junctionThe proposed layout of the junction (Image: West Yorkshire Combined Authority)

The proposals date back to 2019, and were part of a package of three schemes designed to improve traffic and three busy junctions to the West of the city.

The other junctions to be improved were Great Horton Road / Horton Grange Road and Toller Lane/Whetley Hill.

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Originally it was hoped work on the junctions would begin as soon as 2020.

Although work is about to start on the Great Horton Road scheme, the Toller Lane project has been “paused” due to the impact of high inflation.

This particular scheme was delayed after West Yorkshire was awarded millions through the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. One project to get funding was a new segregated cycleway from the city centre down Thornton Road.

The junction scheme had to be re-drawn to include this new cycle lane.

Councillor Carol Thirkill (Lab, Clayton and Fairweather Green) said: “I’d encourage all residents to take part in this consultation so the Council can take them on board before the plans are finalised. The proposals will make it much easier to cross the road for local residents and the additional planting will greatly improve the look of the area.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport on Bradford Council, said: “These proposals will benefit local residents and businesses with journey time savings and improved reliability when travelling. A reduction in congestion will make businesses more accessible."

To have your say on the plans visit www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/westbradford2C before March 22.