Demolition of Bradford NCP car park to begin in early 2024

It’s part of a series of improvements to transform the Bradford Interchange and the surrounding area.

Preparatory work for the demolition, including scaffolding being put up around the building, began on December 4.

What happens next?

The demolition of the former car park building will begin early in the New Year.

It will take around three months.

Demolition work will start properly in the New Year (Image: Newsquest)

As well as scaffolding, protective screens will be put up around higher levels of the car park for safety reasons while the work gets underway.

Large machinery will be brought onto the site before demolition commences in the New Year.

Why is the NCP car park being demolished?

Demolition of the car park will facilitate what Bradford Council has described as “the biggest change to the external appearance of the Interchange since it was opened in 1973 and will transform the arrival for visitors to the city centre”.

How will the site look once the NCP car park is gone?

The Council says: “Once demolition is complete, a new pocket park will be created on part of the NCP site to add more greenery to the Interchange approach, while a new landscaped walkway will be built connecting the Interchange to Hall Ings directly.

“On Bridge Street, a new station forecourt will be recreated to improve the existing main entranceway to the Interchange.

“The new landscaped entrance approaches will include trees and planting, seating, a new entrance to the car park, and a cycle hub.”

The project is due to open in 2025 – during the district’s year as City of Culture.

The Council says it “will provide an attractive, welcoming and connected gateway to the city centre and the City Park area” and adds: “The external work is to be complemented by new facilities inside the Interchange itself as part of a later phase, including new seating, digital information boards, safety improvements and new signage.”

Work will also start to pedestrianise Hall Ings

Early in 2024, alongside the demolition, work will also start to pedestrianise Hall Ings.

New walking and cycling routes, as well as new seating areas and landscaping, will replace most of the existing road space.

“Coupled with the new space outside the Interchange, these changes will create a dramatically improved sense of arrival to the city centre for visitors and commuters alike,” says the Council.

Once demolished, the material from the NCP will be ground down to be used as aggregate required in the later stages of work to the Interchange and other projects.

Will there be any traffic disruption?

The Council says there “may be some traffic management works overnight on occasion, but this will be kept to an absolute minimum”.

It adds: “The large majority of work will be undertaken during daytime working hours. There may also be some partial lane closures along Hall Ings, in the direction of Bridge Street to Jacobs Well, to help facilitate the works and bring the project forward.”