CARS could be banned from travelling through a section of one of the busiest main roads in Bradford.
As part of plans to shake up travel between Shipley and Bradford, a new “bus gate” has been proposed for Manningham Lane, between Spring Bank Place and the junction with Queens Road.
It would prevent private cars from travelling north through this stretch of Manningham Lane towards Shipley. Motorists would also be banned from turning right from Queens Road onto Manningham Lane.
Drivers travelling North would instead have to take alternative routes to avoid the bus gate and re-join Manningham Lane.
It will not affect drivers travelling south from Shipley to Bradford.
Numerous side roads off Manningham Lane, Keighley Road and Bradford Road could become one-way, while new cycle lanes would be installed along the road, and CCTV cameras used to “enforce parking rules.”
The work is part of a push to make Manningham “a bit less car dominated.”
A consultation on the proposals has now begun, and assures motorists they would still be able to drive to businesses on the route – just not use the road as a direct route between the city centre and Lister Park, Frizinghall and Shipley.
Bradford City’s Valley Parade ground falls within the area of proposed improvements, and the changes could impact anyone driving from the stadium towards Shipley via Manningham Lane.
The proposals, by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Bradford Council, are part of the Bradford to Shipley Road Improvement Scheme – first unveiled several years ago.
The aim of the scheme was to direct car and HGV traffic between the two centres to Valley Road and Canal Road, leaving Manningham Lane the main route for bus commuters, cyclists and pedestrians.
A new public consultation on the plans has now begun – with a drop in session in Shipley taking place on Saturday.
While acknowledging that many people rely on their cars, the consultation says: “Our ideas mean you can still drive if you need to, but will also support you if you would like to travel more by walking, by cycling and by getting the bus.”
The scheme also includes changes to Canal Road, where a new lane will be created and two new pedestrian crossings added to the busy road.
The junction of Otley Road and Keighley Road, the site of the former Branch pub, will also be widened.
There has previously been a public consultation on the plans, back in 2020. But the scheme had to be heavily re-designed due to spiralling costs.
The consultation says: “We wish to make it easier and safer to travel between Shipley and Bradford city centre, and we want to hear your views.
“Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have developed proposals that we believe will help you to travel in a more sustainable, more active way.
“While we fully appreciate that some residents need their car to get around, we want to ensure that you have more choice about how you travel. Our ideas mean you can still drive if you need to, but will also support you if you would like to travel more by walking, by cycling and by getting the bus.”
It adds: “We want to make Manningham Lane a bit less car dominated and improve the reliability of buses, while making sure you can still visit businesses along the route easily. We also want to improve air quality and road safety.
“The bus gate on Manningham Lane would mean you would no longer be able to travel north from Spring Bank Place to Queens Road in a private vehicle. But you can still drive your car to shop on Manningham Lane.”
Acknowledging the bus gate would cause major disruption to drivers, the consultation “recommends alternative routes.” It adds: “If you would usually travel up Manningham Lane to Frizinghall and Lister Park area:
- Head up Westgate towards Whetley Hill
- Turn right onto Carlisle Road
- Turn left onto Manningham Lane
“If you would usually travel up Manningham Lane to Shipley area:
- Head towards Drewton Road / Hamm Strasse
- Turn left onto Canal Road
- Slight left onto Canal Road and continue to follow A6037”
As well as the online consultation, which ends on August 18, there will be a number of drop in sessions where people will be able to discuss the plans with officers.
One will be held at Shipley Library on Saturday (July 27) between 9.30am and 12.30pm.
Another will be held at Bradford City’s ground on August 8 between 4pm and 7pm.
To have your say on the consultation visit https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/bradfordshipley
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