New pedestrian plaza at Bradford Interchange takes shape

The former taxi rank was closed off to traffic earlier this year to allow a new public realm space to be constructed on the approach to the Interchange for those arriving via Bridge Street.

The paving that forms a major part of that work is now largely in place, with only a small section still needing to be installed.

The taxi rank has been relocated to a nearby location in Bridge Street, immediately outside the station.

When complete, the new plaza will include planters with trees and plants to add soft landscaping to the scene. 

The paving is mostly compplete on the new plaza (Image: T&A) The eye-catching canopy at the entrance to the station is also set to be refurbished.

Meanwhile, the ramp leading to the railway station platforms has now been closed off to allow the grotty walkway to be upgraded. 

As previously reported, the lower concourse of the Interchange, including the public toilets, reopened on October 28 in the first step towards fully reopening the city's transport hub.

The ramp leading up the side of the building towards the rail station platforms has been closed for refurbishment (Image: T&A) Passengers can now use the escalators within the Interchange to access the railway station platforms on the higher level.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has given its approval for the bus station to reopen on January 5, 2025.

Preparations for reopening have been taking place after survey results indicated it would be safe to do so with mitigation measures in place.

A view of Bradford Interchange on December 13 as preparations for a full reopening continue (Image: T&A) The bus station and the inner concourse that served both bus and rail passengers were closed in early January after concrete fell from the building into the basement car park.

It lead to the building has been shut for health and safety reasons while extensive surveys were carried out to see if it was safe to reopen – or would need to be replaced.

Bus passengers were forced to catch their buses at a variety of different stops dotted around the city centre, with a particular focus on Nelson Street, while the thousands of rail passengers who used Bradford Interchange each day were unable to use the public toilets in the station.

The work to create a plaza at the entrance to the Interchange was fast-tracked amid uncertainty earlier in the year about the proposed Norfolk Gardens/Hall Ings entrance to the station.