BRADFORD Interchange's bus station remains closed -  here's a look at everything we know so far...

First statement issued in early January

The news of the bus station's closure first came to light late on January 4, when West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) issued a statement. 

A spokesperson said the "precautionary measure" to close the bus station that day was taken following "some damage believed to be linked to recent extreme weather".

The statement added: "Bus services will still be running and we're working hard to limit disruption.

"We'll provide an update in due course."

Concerns over closure and call for answers 

Several people - including staff outside Bradford Interchange - told the Telegraph & Argus that they understood part of the ceiling had collapsed.

The Telegraph & Argus asked WYCA if this was correct or not.

A spokesperson from WYCA said: "Bradford Interchange bus station will be closed until further notice, with services continuing to run from nearby streets.

"The closure will allow contractors to survey the damage and report back on next steps to ensure it is safe before reopening.

"We have taken this precautionary measure because public safety is our top priority and we thank people for their understanding.

"We will know more once the survey work has been fully completed and will not be commenting further on speculation until we know the facts."

The Telegraph & Argus was also contacted by a number of residents wanting to know exactly what damage had been caused to the bus station at Bradford Interchange and, at that stage, how long officials expected it to be closed. 

Several people also asked why that information had not been released nearly a week after it was shut. 

Commenting on our Facebook page, Sammy Ann said: "It's OK saying 'shut due to bad weather' but exactly what has happened?"

On our website, David Keegan said: "So why no details as to why it's closed. Think the public has a right to know what the problem is."

The Telegraph & Argus put these points to WYCA and asked for answers - but a WYCA spokesperson reiterated a statement similar to the one above. 

The next major update...

Then, on Friday, January 12, WYCA issued an update to say contractors began work at the bus station that day. 

A spokesperson said surveys could take "several weeks" and the bus station would remain closed throughout that period. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Interchange could be closed for several weeks as surveys take place

The statement said: “As the organisation responsible, we took the decision to close Bradford Interchange bus station last week after some damage was discovered.

“Contractors today began work onsite to establish the extent of the damage and what remedial works are required before it can be safely reopened. It is anticipated that these surveys could take several weeks to complete and the bus station will remain closed throughout this period.

“We are developing plans for a temporary bus station solution to limit disruption for passengers, operators and the city centre during this time.

"Bradford Council is supporting us with this to help minimise disruption to transformation work that is happening in the city centre.

“We have taken this precautionary measure because public safety is our top priority and we want to thank passengers and bus operators for their understanding.”

'This is causing a huge amount of disruption'

A statement from Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport on Bradford Council, released the same day, said: “The closure of the Interchange bus station is causing a huge amount of disruption in the city centre when we’re already undertaking major regeneration works.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"Our Highways staff have been working to support WYCA and minimise disruption but it’s imperative that we understand what has happened at the station and how quickly we can get it back up and running.”

'Would it be taking this long if it was Leeds Bus Station?'

Early last week, Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Group on Bradford Council, said he had written to senior officers at Bradford Council as well as West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and WYCA. 

He said: “Bradford Interchange is one of the busiest public transport hubs in the North of England.

“We need to know much more about why it is closed, why it took a week for WYCA to get contractors in to start assessing the damage, and how long this is going to last.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Councillor Matt Edwards outside Bradford InterchangeCouncillor Matt Edwards outside Bradford Interchange (Image: Matt Edwards)

“If we are talking about weeks - or worse, months - then we need to know what the Mayor and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority are going to do to keep the city accessible for bus users. 

“This is especially important because there are a lot of roadworks in the city centre at the moment and we know there is a lot of disruption because of this.”

He added: “Bus users need assurances from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority that this is going to be dealt with as a priority but at the moment I am not convinced. 

“Would it be taking this long if it was Leeds Bus Station that was closed?”

When approached for comment, WYCA did not say anything further but issued a similar statement to those released previously.

'This is urgent'

Then, on Friday (January 19), Bradford council leader Susan Hinchcliffe, who is also chair of WYCA's Transport Committee, spoke of her concern. 

She 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.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Council leader Susan HinchcliffeBradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe (Image: Newsquest)

"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."

The Telegraph & Argus asked WYCA if it wanted to respond to Cllr Hinchcliffe's comments.

We asked WYCA if the surveys into the damage had been completed - and if so, what they had found. 

We also asked WYCA when, at that stage, it expected the surveys to be completed if they had not yet been completed. 

In response, a WYCA spokesperson said: "We're working continuously with partners at Bradford Council to minimise disruption to the public and have kept all buses running from alternative stops.

"Public safety is our top priority and we will not open the bus station until it is safe to do so."

🚨 Confirmation that Bradford Interchange will be closed for at least TWO months

Then, on Friday afternoon, WYCA issued a statement confirming that a "potential risk to public safety remains". 

Simon Warburton, executive director of transport at 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.”

'What exactly is the damage?'

Reacting to the latest announcement on Friday, Cllr Edwards said the response, so far, had not been good enough.

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 been 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."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Hope for more answers?

Cllr Hinchcliffe asked for an urgent paper to come to the West Yorkshire Transport Committee.

She said this is to ensure councillors across West Yorkshire can scrutinise the steps taken so far. 

A copy of the agenda for Monday’s WYCA Transport Committee showed the closure followed “a degree of concrete fall.”

A full meeting of Bradford Council was held on Tuesday at 4pm in City Hall.

In a written question to that meeting, Cllr Aneela Ahmed (Lab, City) asked: "Can I have an update on when the works will be carried out to get the Interchange fixed and back to normal operations?"

Concrete fall in Interchange happened two weeks before station was shut

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Interchange

At the full council meeting, councillors were told that this fall – into an underground car park at the station – happened on December 22.

The details were revealed by Cllr Hinchcliffe at a meeting of the Council on Tuesday, during which representatives of all political parties heavily criticised the Combined Authority for the lack of communication around the issue.

Although the rail section of the Interchange remains open, the bus station, facilities and shops/cafes inside remain closed. Last week WYCA, which runs the station, said it would remain closed for at least two months while surveys are carried out on the building.

At the meeting Cllr Hinchcliffe, who has called for the issue to be discussed at a meeting of WYCA’s Transport Committee, told Councillors: “To be clear the closure of the Bus Interchange is hugely inconvenient for residents and bus operators at a time when the City of Bradford is in the middle of the biggest regeneration programme the city has seen in decades.”

She revealed what she had been told so far by WYCA, adding: “WYCA advise me that on 22nd December a piece of concrete (20 cm x 50 cm) fell into the underground car park underneath the Bus Interchange.

“WYCA closed the car park for public safety and alternative parking arrangements were made for users. Further inspections took place as a result and in view of the heavy rainfall which could be putting a strain on the interchange internal drainage system, a decision was made on January 4 that as well as the closure of the car park the whole Bus Interchange should be closed as well."

Preparations should be made for the likely case that bus station needs to be closed for longer than two months, meeting hears

The closure of the bus station was discussed at a WYCA meeting at the end of January.

At that meeting, Cllr Ross-Shaw acknowledged that the closure was probably going to be much longer than two months – pointing out that the survey was not likely to find that everything had been fine all along.

He said: “There is going to be time after that survey period where work needs to be done. It is important that is acknowledged.

“Reading between the lines this might take much longer than two months.”

Initial survey carried out 

On February 21, WYCA said in a statement: "We are awaiting an update from the initial survey which has been carried out. We will provide an update on this in due course."

A week later, a spokesperson said: "Initial survey work is now complete. We are awaiting submission of the final report and will provide an update in due course.

"Demolition of the adjacent NCP multi-storey car park on Hall Ings is underway, which will allow Bradford Council to move forward with elements of its plan to redevelop the station frontage."

'It's crucial we get this right'

On March 6, WYCA said: "Initial survey work is now complete.

"We are currently working through these and will provide an update once we have determined the next steps to be taken.

"It is crucial we get this right to ensure public safety, limit disruption and protect taxpayers’ money."

What will happen if Interchange repairs stretch into 2025?

A temporary bus station could be set up in Bradford city centre should the work needed to repair Bradford Interchange stretch into 2025.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: .

With the City of Culture year approaching, it has now emerged that talks have been ongoing behind the scenes to explore what sites might be suitable.

On March 14, transport bosses at WYCA gave an update on what is being done to bring the interchange back into use.

They revealed they were in talks to look at potential sites to house a temporary bus station during Bradford's City of Culture year should a survey on the existing facility reveal problems that may require a long programme of repairs.

A meeting of the Authority on Thursday, members were told that results of survey work being carried out on the structure of the Interchange should be revealed in the next few weeks.