New city centre park could host City of Culture events

Major changes to long-standing proposals for a new “gateway” to Bradford Interchange were revealed earlier this month.

The gateway scheme, funded by the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, involved the demolition of the NCP car park on Hall Ings and the creation of a new concourse leading to the Interchange.

However, the continued closure of the bus station section of the Interchange has meant these works cannot currently go ahead as planned, and a 'plan B' was drawn up to prevent the area from remaining a building site for 2025.

The taxi rank at Bradford Interchange (Image: T&A)

Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority have revealed that the gateway plan will be scaled down, with the former multi-storey car park becoming Hall Ings Park.

The proposed Hall Ings Park (Image: T&A)

The drop-off and taxi area in front of the Interchange will become a new pedestrianised plaza, with the taxi rank moved to neighbouring Bridge Street.

Sections of the Interchange will also be re-opened, including the public toilets.

Now the planning application for this work has been submitted.

The proposed Interchange Plaza (Image: T&A)

The work is described as 'Phase 1' – referring to the fact that the eventual plan is still to create the concourse once the future of the Interchange is clearer.

Referring to Hall Ings Park, the application says: “The pocket park will be suitable for casual use or small ‘pop up’ events in connection with the Bradford City of Culture 2025 programme.

“It will connect with the pedestrianised landscaping interventions on Hall Ings and will add to green infrastructure within the city centre.”

The closed bus Interchange (Image: T&A)

It says the new plaza in front of the Interchange will “provide a pedestrianised area that acts as the first point of arrival for visitors coming to Bradford through the Interchange facility".

“It will connect with the re-organised layout on Bridge Street where taxi pick up/drop off and disabled pick up/drop-off will be provided," it adds.

It says the plaza will have two retail kiosks and 20 planters containing trees, shrubs, and flowers.

The ramp at the Interchange (Image: T&A)

New signage will be installed to direct people to city centre attractions as well as the new bus stop layout.

And the ramp leading from the plaza to the first-floor Interchange will also undergo a refurbishment, with new murals added.

When the proposals were first announced earlier this month, officers said they were confident work would be completed by the end of the year in time for Bradford’s 12-month City of Culture period.