T&A readers share their views on Bradford's 'facelift'

The impact of the major roadworks on disabled people has also been raised as a major concern, as visitors to central Bradford try to get to grips with the new bus loop, along with the closure of Market Street and Hall Ings to traffic.

Plenty of observers could see the potential of the works being carried out, arguing that the "facelift" would make Bradford a better place in the long run.

The paving going down on Market Street is a sign of the pedestrianisation of the city centre (Image: T&A)

The city's problem with drug addiction has also been debated, with one man stating that he felt surrounded by "drugged-up zombies" during his latest visit to the inner-city, to the point where it resembled a "zombie apocalypse film."

In total, more than 325 people have commented on the Telegraph & Argus's latest update on the city centre walking and cycling improvement scheme.

Looking to the future with optimism, Andy Holdsworth commented on the T&A Facebook page to say: "Not good at the moment, but it will be loads better when finished."

His views were echoed by Hadrian Joseph Briggs, who said: "Should look great after all the work. Forever Bradford."

Paving being put down at the junction of Bank Street and Broadway (Image: T&A)

Others focussed on the short-term pain rather than the potential long-term gain.

Among those who were dismayed by the traffic problems was Lisa Smith, who said: "It's a nightmare to go through town - took me nearly 30 mins yesterday to do about two miles - only one lane open from John Street market ends to Manchester Road and the same coming in the opposite direction! Madness. The only reason I do it is for work - I go to Halifax, Brighouse or even Leeds is quicker to get to!"

Claire Sooty said: "I agree - took us an hour to get home from Cineworld car park to Odsal last night! One whole hour for two miles again only for for work."

The current works, including a series of footpath closures and pedestrian diversions, have posed a challenge for people with mobility problems - especially when combined with the ongoing closure of Bradford Interchange bus station.

Emma Hallett said: "I will not be going into Bradford until there is a bus station, I have limited mobility and cannot walk or stand for long periods of time. Repairing or building a bus station should be the first priority, especially for the disabled and people like me with limited mobility."

A line of buses on Well Street, with one having to pick up passengers next to some railings and double yellow lines (Image: T&A)

Cindy Campbell said: "I have a disability and had to walk from Nelson Street to Bridge Street, not sure now how I made it now without falling over!"

Carol Jenkin added: "As a disabled person this looks so daunting and painful."

The confusion over the new bus loop, which involved the reopening of Well Street as a public transport corridor, also seems to be continuing.

Lisa Mitchellx said: "The bus driver today wasn't going to stop opposite job centre, I had to jump infront to make him stop after waiting 30 minutes. He tried arguing that it wasn't his bus stop.... which it is!"

Joan Croft said: "The shops will suffer because of the buses being taken too far away. It will put old people or the disabled off going into Bradford, me being one of them. I would rather get a bus to Keighley that takes you into bus station and straight into shopping centre."

Paving being laid in Hall Ings (Image: T&A)

Fellow bus passenger Catherine Alksins said: "Today while riding round on the 640 bus out of Bradford (I caught it behind the Broadway) it was mayhem!

"I feel sorry for Joe Public catching these! Today I also felt sorry for the bus drivers, they too have to put up with this disruption! Irate passengers as well. I know some don't stop for you but our bus driver today went out of his way to stop for us."

Lisa Davison agreed, saying: "True, it's not the drivers fault, I couldn't do their job right now."

A view of the current disruption along Prince's Way as traffic tries to feed in from Thornton Road (Image: T&A)

Judith Handley pointed out: "Buses are now running to the back of Broadway, other buses are running round to the Alhambra and up to the top of town."

Sunday Simmons was unimpressed by the changes currently taking place, saying: "Absolute state. Impossible to get a bus or a taxi without walking miles first. Way to push elderly and disabled people out of the city centre. Just more space for the spice heads to roam."

Sticking with the topic of drug misuse, Lee Brannan said he was in Bradford on Sunday and had not liked what he saw.

He said: "It was like a zombie apocalypse film - all you get in Bradford is drugged up zombies ...no word of a lie."

Replying, Amanda Richardson said: "My daughters keeps saying every time she goes into town, she questions whether it’s them that’s normal not her because there’s so many of them."

Kyle Smith said: "I was born in Bradford and it is nothing but a drugged up, trampy place. It's awful, it stinks 24/7, so many abandoned shops, the place is disgusting."

Others expressed concerns about littering and fly-tipping on the streets of the city. 

Weary walkers who need a lie-down while strolling along Bradford city centre's Edward Street can now take advantage of this mattress (Image: T&A)

Margaret Buxton said: "With M & S going and the chaos of the bus situation, I will not visit Bradford ever again. Would rather travel a bit further and go to Leeds. Bradford is finished!"

Lesley Robinson replied: "See ya later then love bye."

Liam Charlie Charles echoed that sentiment, stating: "Get yourself off - at least Bradford is having a makeover. Might be for the better hopefully but people like you saying I won’t go in to Bradford again but on a Bradford page commenting rubbish."

Dena Jayne said: "I work in Bradford town centre and no word of a lie, it’s busy from before 9am until way after broadway closes. Food places are busy, shops have queues etc but all I read on here is people saying Bradford is finished. It’s crazy… cos it might not be the best but those shops get visited!"

Demolished bus shelters lying on the floor in Market Street (Image: T&A)

Carol Kershaw said: "I hope they are going to compensate all these shops that have suffered all these months. Plus bring back the ones that had to shut down Through lack of customers with all this work been done. If not Then all this work has been done for nothing and like someone mentioned. It will be a glory hole for all these homeless.

Urging patience, Liam Charlie Charles said: "Exactly, it could be better but there doing things to make it better we might not think or see it now but slowly it will get there."

The Baby of the North looks on as the changes continue at Jacob's Well (Image: T&A)

Dena Jayne said: "Exactly. Changes are coming and the more people make the effort with their home town, the better!"

John Michael Ford said: "I most definitely agree with you. I am a Bradfordian and proud of my City."

Yasmin Ruby Rashid said: "People dnt like change.! Get over it.Bradford is getting a face-lift."