Bradford's Hall Ings bus shelter being taken down as works continue

The bus canopy on Hall Ings is being taken apart as part of the wider transformation works.

Norfolk Gardens is going to be expanded to create a major new green space on Hall Ings, between Jacob’s Well roundabout and Bridge Street.

Inspired by European cities, the design plan includes a series of stunning public spaces, pedestrianisation, tree planting and greenery.

Visualisation of the Hall Ings park development (Image: Bradford Council)

The bus canopy opened more than a decade ago as part of Bradford’s City Park scheme.

When it was first unveiled, some passers-by said they liked the large size of the canopy and its open design.

The bus canopy on Hall Ings when it first opened

But others were critical of its ability to provide adequate shelter to waiting bus passengers.

The opening of the canopy and the closure of Channing Way - next to the Magistrates’ Court - marked a key point in the construction of the £24.4m City Park.

Now, 14 years on, the major route through the heart of Bradford is changing again.

Norfolk Gardens will be extended in what is hoped to improve the entrance to the city for visitors.

Bus shelter on Hall Ings being taken down in June 2024 (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

The NCP car park is ever shrinking as the multi-storey car park is demolished floor by floor.

New planning documents recently detailed what the green space at Bradford Interchange - linking into the new Norfolk Gardens area on Hall Ings - might look like.

The proposed planting plan for the new concourse at Bradford Interchange (Image: Bradford Council)

Documents included tree planting plans, arboriculture statements, and biodiversity layouts. 

The vision for the space linking Hall Ings to the Interchange includes grassed areas, tree planting, and hedgerows.

It is part of the wider £43 million scheme to improve the city centre improvements, delivered by partners Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

The changes are being delivered through the WYCA's Transforming Cities Fund programme.

"The work is aimed at making it easier, safer and more pleasant for people to walk, cycle in the city centre," Bradford Council has said.

"This is a capital grant transport fund, provided by the Department for Transport and cannot be used for other purposes, such as delivering day-to-day services or other projects."

Hall Ings in March 2024 (Image: T&A)

Hall Ings has gone through a number of changes over the past few decades.

It has been anything from a haven for Bradford's workforce to break for lunch to the site of an old footbridge and even flag poles.

Work to build the Norfolk Gardens footbridge

Building work commenced on a new bridge connecting the traffic Interchange with Norfolk Gardens in 1977.

The footbridge was dismantled in 2001.

The park space once boasted wonderful blossom trees.

Norfolk Park, Bradford, June 1967, a suitable location to take a lunch break and relax, from work worries.

Back in the 1960s, Norfolk Park was a well-used location by workers looking to take a lunch break and relax from work worries.

There were plenty of places for people to sit - whether it was on benches or grassy areas.

As of spring 2024, a thick red stripe containing the words 'BUS GATE' is painted along Hall Ings, near its junction with Bridge Street.

The bus-only section of Hall Ings prevents general traffic travelling from St George's Hall towards Jacobs Well.