Bradford roadworks: Fences removed as more areas of city re-open

And much of the newly pedestrianised Market Street has also been opened up this week.

Among the many aspects of the Government funded Transforming Cities Fund work taking place in the city centre is the closure of the end of Little Horton Lane to traffic, creating a new “pocket park” and an uninterrupted pedestrian and cycle route in front of some of Bradford’s mist recognisable landmarks.

On Friday, fencing around the footpath and cycleway on Manchester Road, the former Jacobs Well roundabout and Prince’s Way was removed, opening up the new look section of the city.

An update from Balfour Beatty, which is carrying out the work, says: “While some finishing touches, like landscaping the verges, are still in progress, we're committed to opening spaces as soon as they’re functional rather than waiting for cosmetic details to be completed.”

Most of the fencing has also been removed from Market Street, with just the areas allocated for planters remaining fenced off.

Much of Market Street has been re-opened to pedestrians (Image: T&A)

The update adds: “Most of the construction work is due to be completed by the end of the year, but there will still be finishing touches to complete to bring everything to life.

“This will include the installation of street furniture and the planting of greenery in the new ground level and raised planters.

“While this decorative work will mainly continue into the new year, we expect the first tree planted to be placed on Market Street in the coming weeks.”

The update states that one of the biggest change is on Bridge Street, adjacent Centenary Square, as shown in the image below.

Paving being laid on Bridge Street (Image: Bradford Council) Other works that have taken shape in recent months include continuing progress on the pedestrianisation of Hall Ings - once one of the city's busiest roads.

Another major change has seen a new 'supercrossing' completed across the busy A641/Princes Way, near the old Jacob’s Well roundabout, which will link the park being created in the newly-pedestrianised Hall Ings with the city’s leisure quarter.

In the early phases of the works, there were concerns about a perceived lack of information and the impact the scheme was having on people trying to access Bradford city centre by bus.

Last week, the first City Centre Liaison Group meeting took place at The Great Victoria Hotel, bringing together residents, workers, and business owners.

Attendees received updates from Bradford Council on the Transforming Cities Fund project and from Balfour Beatty on the ongoing construction works. The event included a Question and Answer session and discussions about the developments.

Anyone who would like to take part in the next meeting, which will take place in October, can email info@future-bradford.co.uk