A LARGE section of new paving is now in place on a Bradford street once dominated by traffic travelling through the city centre.

The work on Hall Ings, especially the part near St George's Hall, is now taking shape, giving passers-by a taste of what to expect when the works are completed.

The move to pedestrianise large parts of Bradford city centre is part of the Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme, which has proved controversial due to disruption to general traffic and confusion over bus routes.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Paving has been laid outside St George's HallPaving has been laid outside St George's Hall (Image: T&A)

A key plank of the scheme involves the demolition of the former NCP car park to create a new entrance to the currently-closed Bradford Interchange.

In their latest update on the scheme, project bosses said: "The demolition of the former NCP car park has continued to progress well and sections of the city centre have seen further progress, with paving being laid at several points along Market Street."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A large pile of rubble in Hall Ings near the demolition site of the former NCPA large pile of rubble in Hall Ings near the demolition site of the former NCP (Image: T&A)

The update continued: "This week has seen further progress made throughout the city centre, with more sections nearing completion. At Vicar Lane, the new 'Cycle Optimised Protected Signals' (CYCLOPS) junction is now operational.

"CYCLOPS junctions completely separate people walking, wheeling and cycling from vehicles to reduce the risk of conflict or collisions."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: At Vicar Lane, the new 'Cycle Optimised Protected Signals' (CYCLOPS) junction is now operationalAt Vicar Lane, the new 'Cycle Optimised Protected Signals' (CYCLOPS) junction is now operational (Image: Bradford Council)

In another significant development, work to construct the West Bradford Cycle Superhighway Extenstion is due to begin this week.

The latest update said: "This work will create a new, largely segregated, cycle route along Sunbridge Road and Thornton Road to improve links from Bradford city centre to key areas of West Bradford, eventually ending in Thornton village.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The scene in Thornton Road is a chaotic one, as traffic waits to feed into the reduced lanes of Prince's Way The scene in Thornton Road is a chaotic one, as traffic waits to feed into the reduced lanes of Prince's Way (Image: T&A)

"Our construction partners, Balfour Beatty will be mobilising to begin construction in the coming weeks."

This will happen at:

  • A6177 Ingleby Road and Thornton Road junction (by Morrisons)
  • City Road and Thornton Road junction
  • Thornton Road between Weetwood Road and Hollings Road
  • Sunbridge Road and City Road 

Projects bosses have also outlined more information about city centre core access and the new one-way route.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Map illustrating the one-way system for vehicle access to the streets in and around the pedestrianised zoneMap illustrating the one-way system for vehicle access to the streets in and around the pedestrianised zone (Image: Bradford Council)

They said: "Vehicle access on pedestrianised streets is not permitted between the hours of 10.30am and 4.30pm, except for emergency service and construction vehicles.

"Outside these hours access is via a one-way system through Bridge Street."