Bradford city centre: How major works are progressing

The latest Future Bradford newsletter says good progress has been made with surfacing works in the Sunbridge Road area, where a new cycleway is being constructed.

The green surfacing has been laid and is now fully visible.

“In the coming weeks, we will be adding the finishing touches including adding the white cycle marking along the lane,” said the newsletter.

The cycle lane on Sunbridge Road (Image: Newsquest)

“Ultimately, these cycleways will connect with the new Cycle Superhighway works west of the city on Sunbridge Road and Thornton Road, which are currently under construction."

Sunbridge Road (Image: Bradford Council)

The newsletter adds: “Across all parts of the city centre where works are happening, paving works are continuing, alongside installation of new raised planter units. 

Paving on Market Street (Image: Newsquest)

“Specifically, new paving is progressing along Bridge Street towards the Sunbridge Road junction, and at the Market Street and Bank Street junction, raised planter wall units have been installed. 

How paving works are progressing (Image: Bradford Council)

The newsletter says temporary pedestrian crossings have been opened across the city centre in places where works are happening.

“Please note that the pedestrian route on the south side of Hall Ings has been temporarily diverted to the north side of Hall Ings to allow work on the new footway to continue between the junctions with Vicar Lane and Drake Street,” it says in the update.

“Please note that we have removed some crossing points on Bank Street, as they have been replaced with traffic-free open space.

Bridge Street, close to the road's junction with Hall Ings (Image: Newsquest)

“An extra crossing point has also been added on Bridge Street.”

“Due to works happening in front of the main entrance to Bradford Interchange, the taxi ranks have been relocated to Drake Street and behind the Great Victoria Hotel.

“There is temporary signage in place to direct people to the new ranks from their previous location.”

What you need to know about different areas in the city centre

Sunbridge Road

• On Sunbridge Road, city centre scheme works are complete. Cycle Superhighway works are still taking place in this area.
• This work has provided wider footpaths and introduced cycle lanes. New bus shelters have also been put in place for bus routes travelling out of the city centre.

Westgate and Godwin Street

• Works are continuing on the new central reservation on Godwin Street between Thornton Road and Jacobs Well.
• Little Horton Lane is closed to all traffic at its junction with Godwin Street. Traffic travelling in either direction on Godwin Street is not permitted to use the new pedestrian super crossing to make a U-turn.
• This change will provide more space for bus stops and routes into the city and an additional bus lane on Godwin Street.

Jacobs Well, Prince’s Way and City Park

• At Jacobs Well, works are continuing within and around the former roundabout.
• There will continue to be lane closures and traffic management around Jacobs Well.
• This work has seen Jacobs Well roundabout become a super crossing. The new permanent pedestrian crossing here will become signalised.

Senior Way, Croft Street and Manchester Road

• Work is mostly complete on Croft Street and Senior Way and the new lanes are open to traffic. Works to install the new cycleway and central reserve are nearing completion on Manchester Road.
• Lane closures will continue on Manchester Road northbound from Croft Street to Jacobs Well.
• The works here are to create an additional lane on the gyratory section of Croft Street in each direction and a new cycleway on Manchester Road.

Lower Kirkgate

• Works on both sides of Lower Kirkgate to construct a new cycleway and footway are nearing completion.
• The taxi rank on Lower Kirkgate is no longer in use and has been permanently removed to make way for a new cycleway. Traffic management has been installed with two-way traffic lights on the section of Lower Kirkgate between the Midland Hotel and the junction with Cheapside, Market Street, and Kirkgate. Market Street is now closed to traffic at its junction with Kirkgate/Lower Kirkgate/Cheapside.
• There is a temporary signal-controlled pedestrian crossing point in place at the junction of Kirkgate/Lower Kirkgate/Cheapside/Market Street. This is in place to ensure that pedestrians have a safe place to cross the road. Safe pedestrian routes away from the main road and works happening in this area are also in place. Signs are in place to help direct pedestrians along this route to avoid traffic on the main road.  
• The works here are to widen the junction to Canal Road, to allow for improved cycle lane provision, and build a new bus shelter.
• This work will also create a new crossing link into the city centre at Cheapside.

Well Street, Vicar Lane and Hall Ings

• The installation of new drainage, kerbs and new carriageway, cycleway and footways will continue on Hall Ings.
• Well Street and the section of Vicar Lane between Great Cross Street and Hall Ings is only open to buses and authorised traffic and the new Cyclops junction at Well Street/Vicar Lane/Hall Ings/Leeds Road is now operational. Hall Ings will continue to be reduced to one lane of traffic westbound between the junction with George Street and the junction with Drake Street.
• The pedestrian route on the south side of Hall Ings has been temporarily diverted to the north side of Hall Ings to allow work on the new footway to continue between the junctions with Vicar Lane and Drake Street.
• Hall Ings, between Bridge Street and Jacobs Well, is now closed to general traffic. This change is permanent. 
• The work on Well Street will re-open the road as a bus route, the work on Vicar Lane, allowing for, allowing for the reconnection of Vicar Lane to Hall Ings, with a new ‘CYCLOPS’ junction being introduced.