LATEST NEWS: All change for city's road system as major works enter next stage
REGENERATION works in Bradford are now well underway as the city centre undergoes its largest transformation in decades.
The multi-million pound project will see vast swathes of the city centre pedestrianised, the demolition of the NCP car park, and a new entrance to Bradford Interchange.
As well as a new public transport corridor for buses, the Council will build improved junctions, highways and cycle routes.
Now, almost one month later, a glimpse of the huge changes ahead can be seen amongst the rubble and building work.
Well Street - the currently pedestrianised road separating the Broadway Shopping Centre from Little Germany - will become a dedicated route for buses.
Darren Badrock, project manager for Transforming Cities, previously said the work would “rejuvenate” a section of Leeds Road and Well Street.
The new public transport corridor means other roads will be closed to traffic - including Hall Ings, Market Street and Norfolk Gardens.
Buses that use these streets will be diverted through other areas of the centre, including Well Street.
Hall Ings is currently reduced to one lane of traffic westbound between the junction with George Street and the junction with Vicar Lane.
There will be two-way temporary traffic lights in place on Church Bank to allow works to create a new bus stop while new pedestrian crossing points are being installed on Vicar Lane and Ebenezer Street.
In the latest update, Bradford Council said traffic signal and kerbing works are continuing at the Canal Road junction.
Excavation work is taking place along the roadside on the south side of Croft Street and on Senior Way as a new lane is created.
Work also began to install new drainage in the central island.
There will continue to be lane closures around the Croft Street Gyratory, the Council said.
Elsewhere, construction workers are paving the areas where the islands were on Sunbridge Road as well as the north side of the road.
The eastbound lane closure currently in place on Sunbridge Road, between Barry Street and Godwin Street will remain in place, with vehicles travelling eastbound being diverted along Barry Street.
On Westgate, the council has started removing the existing kerbline and installing a new one.
It means Westgate will continue to be reduced to one lane travelling eastbound by the junction with Godwin Street.
Over on Godwin Street, workers have removed the central reservation guardrail and begun excavating the central reserve.
Godwin Street will continue to be reduced to two lanes between the junctions with Westgate and Sunbridge Road, and then to just one lane between the junctions with Sunbridge Road and Thornton Road.
How long will the works last?
The city centre scheme will be delivered in two phases - starting with enabling works on road and pavements and new bus routes.
These works on the highway around the city centre will tail off by January 2024.
The second phase will begin in 2024, focusing on public spaces and walking and cycling routes.
This construction will be limited to the heart of the city centre while pedestrian access will be maintained.
Access to drivers will remain largely unchanged apart from the removal of access to Hall Ings.
Bradford Council previously said disruption should greatly reduce up to the scheme being completed in late 2024/early 2025.
The Council and Balfour Beatty are urging people to bear with the works and plan journeys in advance.
You can find out exactly how your journeys will be affected through information and updates on the website: future-bradford.co.uk
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