How long will Bradford Interchange bus station be closed?

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) announced its sudden closure on January 4.

WYCA - which runs Bradford Interchange - said there was "some damage believed to be linked to the recent extreme weather".

Just over a week later, on January 12, contractors started work to ascertain the extent of the damage and what remedial works were required.

At the time, WYCA said these surveys could take "several weeks" to complete and the bus station would remain closed throughout this period.

It comes after Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe called for an urgent report to be written.

In the latest development, WYCA confirmed “a potential risk to public safety remains”.

Scenes from Bradford Interchange on Tuesday, as the bus station remained closed (Image: T&A)

How long will Bradford Interchange's bus station be closed?

Simon Warburton, executive director of transport at the WYCA, said: “Following the closure of Bradford Interchange bus station, contractors were brought in to survey the condition of the building and assess damage.

“The initial advice we have received has confirmed that a potential risk to public safety remains, so the bus station will remain closed for at least two months to ensure these issues can be assessed.

“We are working to install more temporary bus shelter facilities at locations around the city to provide improved waiting facilities, including real time screens for next bus departures.

“We are sorry for any disruption caused by the closure but want to assure people that public safety is our top priority, and the bus station will not be opened until we can do so safely.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the wider city centre improvement works are on track for Bradford City of Culture 2025.”

'Commuters have been massively inconvenienced'

Cllr Hinchcliffe, also chair of WYCA's Transport Committee, shared her concern about the ongoing closure of the bus station on Friday.

The council leader told the Telegraph & Argus: "This matter is urgent.

"Commuters have been massively inconvenienced during this time.

"I've spoken to the Mayor (Tracy Brabin) and she and I have tasked officers in WYCA to work quickly to assess the extent of the damage.

"I've been given assurances by WYCA that they are making this a top priority and are focussing all senior staff time on resolving it.

"I've asked for an urgent paper to come to the West Yorkshire Transport Committee next week to make sure that councillors across West Yorkshire are able to scrutinise the steps taken so far.

"Bradford is a hub for the whole of West Yorkshire so they rightly will share my concern."

'Just not good enough'

The bus station closure left Cllr Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Group on Bradford Council, asking if the same scenario would occur if it was Leeds station.

He wrote to senior officers at Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and WYCA.

Reacting to the latest announcement, he said: "It's great that we are finally starting to get some clarity from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority but the whole response so far has just not good enough.

"There are still a lot of questions that need answering about this. What exactly is the damage and how did it happen? Is there an issue with how the Combined Authority has been maintaining the bus station?

"We are also overlooking the impact this has at the train station. At the moment our City's main train station doesn't have a toilet and there aren't really any food and drink options.

"Earlier this week I asked for a briefing for councillors so we could ask these questions and make sure that arrangements for passengers are working. I'm really disappointed that I've not had a response so far."

What's open at Bradford Interchange?

A list of alternative bus stops during the station's closure can be found on the Telegraph & Argus website here.

Train services have not been affected and that part of Bradford Interchange remains open.

The concourse below the bus station - which includes food company Greggs, coffee shop Java Joe, and WHSmith - is closed to the public.