Work to transform Bradford city centre 'on budget' and largely on time

Work on the City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements began in mid-2023 with a series of changes to road junctions and traffic flows.

Now, the work has progressed to the point where much of the inner-city pedestrianisation work is complete and soft landscaping is well underway.

Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority are working in partnership on the £43 million scheme, delivered through the latter's Transforming Cities Fund.

Members of the Council's Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee will be updated on the progress when they meet on Tuesday.

The circular paved area taking shape near St George's Hall (Image: T&A) A report to go before the meeting states: "Works commenced on site in June 2023 with the initial phase of the project, where alterations were made to traffic junctions and vehicle movements on the highway network surrounding the city centre core. These works were completed by March 2024.

"Since March 2024, the inner pedestrianisation works have been undertaken.

The area in Norfolk Gardens which is currently unfinished (Image: T&A)

"All main pedestrianisation works will be completed by the end of December 2024.

"Due to the closure of Bradford Interchange in January 2024 a scheme review was undertaken to assess the impact of the closure on the City Centre works.

The work to extend Norfolk Gardens across the now-closed Hall Ings is the part of the project that will not be completed until next year (Image: T&A) "As a result of this review alterations were made to the scheme in terms of changes to the scope of the Hall Ings/Norfolk Gardens design.

"These changes have led to a minor programme extension into the 2025 year relating to landscaping and to avoid planting in the winter months.

"Except for the Norfolk Gardens area mentioned above, the works are currently on programme as scheduled and remain on-budget."

Shrubs on Hall Ings with a walkway through the centre (Image: T&A)

Then the Telegraph & Argus observed the works this week, a large amount of shrubs were being planted on a section of the now-pedestrianised Hall Ings, outside St George's Hall.

The new shrubberies are creating a soft landscaping effect in and amongst the new paving that has been laid on the once traffic-choked road.

A new 'pocket park' at the bottom of Little Horton Lane, near the junction with Prince's Way, has also been completed, with grass laid and a rockery-type effect created.

The pocket park at the junction of Little Horton Lane and Prince's Way (Image: T&A) Lots of heavy machinery was still in evidence in the Norfolk Gardens area, near City Hall, where the gardens are being extended across what was once Hall Ings towards the site of the demolished NCP car park.

This is the part of the work that will stretch into the New Year and looks far from complete at this stage.

Another view of the pocket park, with the Alhambra and Bradford Live in the background (Image: T&A)

In other parts of the city centre, several new public realm spaces are taking shape, including a large circular paved area at the former traffic light controlled junction of Bridge Street and Hall Ings, overlooked by St George's Hall.

The paving on this feature is now largely complete. 

Market Street, once lined with bus stops, is now a more tranquil street, with most of the barriers now removed and the paved area mostly open, with shrubs installed in the various planters and trees set to follow.

Pedestrians take their time walking across Market Street, which was once dominated by bus services (Image: T&A) In outlining the benefits of the scheme, the report to go before the committee next week adds: "These changes will help attract new employers and investors to the city, leading to the creation of new jobs and drawing more people to live and work in the city centre.

"A more vibrant city centre cultural scene will be created by improving links between the city centre and schemes such as Bradford Live, One City Park and Darley Street Market, together with supporting UK City of Culture 2024.

"The plans would improve the environment between the Interchange and Forster Square Station, providing a better welcome for those travelling to Bradford visiting its fantastic cultural offer."

Work taking place in the Norfolk Gardens area (Image: T&A) The report states that, previously, a lack of safety and convenience prevented people from opting to get about using sustainable transport modes.

It says the scheme will "address this by creating a walking and cycling friendly city centre that is easy to get around and better for health, without adding to pollution and congestion."

The report points out that the work will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions – with Bradford Council having committed to becoming the UK’s leading ‘clean growth’ district.

"By encouraging greater use of public transport, walking and cycling through Bradford city centre we can enable the economy to grow while reducing carbon emissions and tackling air pollution to complement the city’s Clean Air Zone," the report adds.