Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvements scheme

Please note - this survey has now closed

You can download the consultation outcome report here.

The information below was presented during the public consultation between Monday 28 July to Sunday 22 September 2021:

Introduction

Bradford Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is looking to make improvements to the Bradford city centre and would like your feedback on the proposed plans.

The Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme aims to radically upgrade the look and feel of Bradford city centre through the introduction of new green spaces and the removal of through traffic from key civic areas. The proposals would also see better quality walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure provided, to offer people improved transport choices.

On this webpage you will find information, including plans and visualisations, to help you understand what is proposed.

Once you have read the information below, please give us your feedback by completing our survey.

Visualisation showing what the proposed green space around Jacobs Well could look like

Scheme Aims

Alongside a number of existing ambitious projects, the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements proposals would reshape the civic heart of Bradford city centre by creating a hugely improved setting with the introduction of new public and green spaces, whilst transforming travel into and around the city centre by improving public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure.

Comprising of a package of measures to help transform Bradford’s city centre, the proposals would enable us to achieve the following aims:

A transformation of Bradford’s civic centre

Bradford’s key civic areas are currently severed by busy main roads, creating an unpleasant and unhealthy environment dominated by traffic, noise and air pollution. On-foot navigation between entertainment, shopping and civic areas is also difficult due to multiple road crossings.

The Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme would create a greener, more people-focused civic centre – providing better areas of public realm and maximising the city’s incredible architectural legacy. These changes would help to 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

The proposals would also help to better link schemes such as Bradford Live, One City Park and Darley Street Market together, increasing the vibrancy of the city centre.

Bradford is developing a major cultural and entertainment quarter to the west of the city centre and is now bidding for UK City of Culture 2025. The City Centre plans would improve the environment between the Interchange and Forster Square Station, providing a better welcome for those travelling to Bradford to visit its fantastic cultural offer.

Improved access to the city centre via walking, cycling and public transport

Bradford city centre currently lacks high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure, with safety and a lack of convenience currently preventing people from opting to get about this way. The proposals would address this, creating a walking and cycle-friendly city centre that is easy to get around and better for health, without adding to pollution and congestion.

Of course, cycling or walking into the city centre isn’t always suitable for people, depending on their circumstances, so we also want to make public transport an attractive option. At present, Bradford’s bus routes face delays as they cross the major road network approaching Bradford Interchange. This scheme would help to resolve these issues, improving bus journey times and service reliability.

A reduction in carbon emissions

The UK Government has committed to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 from 1990 levels, while Bradford Council has committed to becoming the UK’s leading ‘clean growth’ district. By encouraging greater use of public transport, walking and cycling through the Bradford City Centre scheme, we can enable the economy to grow while reducing carbon emissions and tackling air pollution to complement the city’s forthcoming Clean Air Zone.

The Proposals

New green public spaces

Under the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements proposals, new green public spaces would be formed in the city centre – complementing the city’s rich heritage while creating attractive and relaxing areas where people can rest and spend time with friends and family. To facilitate the formation of these spaces, a number of streets would be pedestrianised, removing through traffic to create a pleasant and pollution-free environment.

Norfolk Gardens would be expanded out to create a major new green space, and Hall Ings would be pedestrianised from Jacobs Well roundabout to Bridge Street. Sunbridge Road, Bridge Street, Broadway and Market Street would also be closed to through traffic. Vehicular access would still be available for deliveries within restricted times.

Incorporated within these new areas of public realm would be enhanced paving, street trees, greenery, and plenty of seating. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) would also be applied to prevent flooding and mitigate against climate change while improving biodiversity.

The new public spaces and pedestrianised areas would create more space for people and make it easier for people to walk and cycle between shopping and entertainment areas, while providing room for pavement cafes and dining as well as pop up events, creating a sense of vibrancy and activity. Access will be maintained to enable loading for businesses, and provision for taxis and disabled parking will be included in the final design of the scheme.

Visualisation showing the proposals for the expansion of Norfolk Gardens, Hall Ings

Improved cycling and walking infrastructure

The removal of Jacobs Well roundabout and the pedestrianisation of key streets within the city centre would allow for easy crossing from the east of the city centre to the west, linking key cultural destinations to the city’s core.

New cycle routes and cycle parking would also be provided across the city centre, connecting into existing cycle routes such as Route 66, which forms part of the National Cycle Network (NCN). The city centre cycle routes would also connect into the new cycle routes being brought forward by other Bradford Transforming Cities Fund schemes, helping more people to easily and affordably access the city centre.

Pedestrian access to Bradford Interchange would also be improved through accompanying plans to improve the approach to the Interchange and make it more connected to the heart of the city.

Visualisation showing the improvements for cycling and walking on Market Street

New public transport corridor

To increase bus service reliability across the city centre, a new public transport corridor would be introduced along Well Street and Vicar Lane. This would allow bus services to travel through the city centre efficiently without incurring delays. The corridor would also help to facilitate the plans to create pedestrianised green areas of public realm while ensuring buses are still able to drop people off at key locations.

The public transport corridor would run from Forster Square along Valley Road, Well Street, Vicar Lane and Bridge Street down to the Interchange. Well Street would be reopened for public transport use, ensuring bus services are connected directly with the Broadway Shopping Centre.

Seven new bus hubs – where it would be easy to change between buses – are also proposed around the civic core of the city. The new hubs would feature improved facilities for waiting passengers, including features such as seating, real time bus information and ticket purchasing services. The planned hubs would be located at Forster Square, Rawson Square, Goitside, City Park/Entertainment Quarter, Market Street, Cathedral and Little Germany/Broadway.

Visualisation showing the proposals for a public transport corridor on Well Street

You can view the map showing further details here.

For more information, please visit the FAQs section on this page. To see how key areas in the city centre currently look, and what they could look once the scheme has been delivered, click here.

Have your say

Bradford Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, has so far developed early-stage proposals for the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme, as well as for three other Transforming Cities Fund schemes. We want to understand the public’s views on the proposals before progressing to the next stage of design.

You can leave feedback in whatever way works best for you. Fill out our feedback form below or contact us at:

Email: info@future-bradford.co.uk
Freephone: 0808 196 9119
Freepost: Freepost BFD Highways (no stamp required)

Once the consultation has closed, Bradford Council will use your feedback and the consultation report to refine plans moving forward. Your feedback will help us to understand where we can make improvements to the proposed schemes and ensure that we have considered how to maximise the benefit for all from this once in a generation opportunity to transform the heart of our district.