Council's new proposal for South Bradford Park and Ride

Hailed as a way to reduce bus journey times and inner-city pollution, the project has gone through numerous changes since it was first announced.

Now the latest version will reflect both budget pressures caused by escalating costs and public feedback.

It features a series of walking, cycling and public transport improvements for people travelling from south of the Bradford district into the city centre.

The new measures are aimed at improving bus services and cycling routes, alongside Bradford Council’s longer-term ambition to deliver a Park and Ride service in the future.

These improvements also aim to reduce congestion and pollution along Manchester Road.

The Council is holding the consultation in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The Manchester Road corridor is a vital route into and out of Bradford city centre, and one which currently suffers from high levels of pollution and congestion.

"By asking residents what they think about our proposals, we hope to present alternative options for those who wish to use them, and that better infrastructure will lead to easier journeys for all. We’d encourage everyone to view the proposals and let us know what you think.”

 What the proposals mean for you

The latest proposals include:

• New, targeted bus measures along Manchester Road including priority at key junctions and a new lane for quicker journey times.
• A new cycle route from the former Richard Dunn Sports Centre into the city centre, linking to the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 66. It will be designed as a dedicated, quieter route away from main roads, with connections to the wider cycling network.
• A new Park and Ride on the city’s outskirts, with a car park and bus terminal on land currently used for event parking at Odsal stadium on the site of the former Richard Dunn Sports Centre. With a secure car park and cheaper journey costs, the Park and Ride will act as an alternative to driving into the city, meeting demand for parking during major events at the forthcoming Bradford Live arena and Bradford's City of Culture celebrations in 2025. 
• The former Richard Dunn Sports Centre building would remain unaffected by the facility.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We are investing millions of pounds to make it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport in and around Bradford.

“This is part of our work to create a more inclusive and better-connected region.

“Your opinion matters, so please make the most of this opportunity.”

Most of the scheme is being delivered through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme.

This includes the development work for the Park and Ride scheme, as well as the delivery of the cycling route and the bus improvements.

Additional funding is being sought for the delivery of the Park and Ride (car park and terminal building).

It comes almost a year after the region’s authority announced the Park and Ride was one of two TCF projects being scaled back.

The meeting heard how Park and Ride would be split into stages, with the first stage only including the public transport and walking/cycling improvements to Manchester Road.

At the meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, Fiona Limb, Transforming Cities Implementation Lead, told members: “A number of further funding options for the second phase are being explored.”

A meeting report said the original car park site had been dismissed after surveys on the site “revealed significant issues which rendered the remediation of the site financially unviable.”

The Richard Dunn Sports Centre in the past (Image: Newsquest)

The site of the vacant Richard Dunn centre was then chosen, but after the former leisure centre was listed earlier this year, plans once again had to go back to the drawing board.

Following an appeal against the listing, the DCMS upheld its decision to list on October 24, 2022 - further complicating the authority's vision.

How to have your say

The consultation is open for six weeks and will end on Thursday, December 21.

People will be able to have their say at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/southbradfordpandr 

Alternatively people can email info@future-bradford.co.uk, calling 0808 196 9119, or write to Freepost BFD Highways.

There will also be face-to-face events where people can find out about the proposals from the project team and ask questions. 

These events will take place at the Sedbergh Sports Centre, between 2pm and 6pm on November 23, and City Hall, between 1pm and 5pm on November 30.