Investment Committee backs proposals to improve Bradford Interchange

Plans to improve the travel Interchange as a gateway to Bradford city centre took a step forward at January�s West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee meeting.

Work on the first phase would result in a new frontage, better pedestrian access and improved facilities for the nine million bus and train passengers who use the Interchange every year. It would also improve connections between all transport modes; buses, taxis, rail, coaches and cars. Work could start in September 2019.

Merits

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee Chair Cllr Peter Box said: �This scheme would transform the Interchange providing the impressive welcome that a growing city like Bradford merits as well as a customer experience fitting for a station the size of the Interchange.

�It will also create better, integrated links with Bradford city centre.�

Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council�s Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, said:��This investment in Bradford Interchange as well as the investment at Forster Square Railway Station will greatly improve these important gateways to our city centre for visitors and commuters alike.�

The Investment Committee, on Wednesday 3 January, was be asked to agree �100,000 development costs for the scheme�s first phase, which is expected to cost �5.65m overall.

Built in the 1970s, Bradford Interchange combines the city�s rail and bus stations, has bus and rail travel centres, car parks, a taxi rank and retail premises. Despite its name, the fact that the facility, which has had incremental additions over the years, is on multi levels, does not encourage interchange between different modes of transport at the site.�

Feasibility�

January�s Investment Committee meeting also backed �1/2m of feasibility work for a second phase, which could see wholesale improvements to the Interchange�s layout and facilities. This investigative work would identify a preferred programme for the scheme.�

As part of the scheme�s development, consultation will take place with Interchange users, including passengers, travel operators, taxi firms and businesses on and surrounding the site.

Cllr Box added:��As well as significantly improving the way that passengers can use the building and move from one transport mode to another, this longer-term, second stage of development would pave the way for improved Calder Valley rail services and a central Bradford stop on the planned Northern Powerhouse Rail or HS3 route.�

Link to details of the meeting, which takes place 11am in Wednesday 3 January.