Disability campaigners make bus station plea

People with disabilities struggle to use the temporary bus station on Nelson Street

Disability campaigners have asked to be consulted on the location of Bradford's temporary bus station, saying they are struggling to access the facility.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) had to close the Bradford Interchange bus station over safety concerns in January, after a piece of concrete collapsed into an underground car park.

Campaigners say the current location of the temporary station in Nelson Street, next to Jacobs Well car park, is so hard to use that people are opting to take taxis instead.

WYCA said it recognised there were access issues and that it was "happy to engage" with groups raising the problem.

'Very stressful'

Susan Clarkson is registered blind and a member of the Visually Impaired Women's Group in Bradford.

The 77-year-old lives in Four Lane Ends and used to regularly catch buses.

But she finds it difficult to walk the route to the relocated bus station and is nervous about being dropped off at temporary bus stops.

"It's very stressful and it makes me anxious coming into town not knowing what the situation's going to be," she said.

Susan Clarkson says she feels "anxious" coming into Bradford

She added: "And the situation with the bus station is being compounded with all the roadworks that are happening around the city centre.

"I tend to avoid it and use taxis, but I want to continue to use the buses because I'm a really big believer in public transport and I want to continue with it."

Jamie Lowbridge says she takes taxis rather than buses into Bradford city centre

Jamie Lowbridge is from the Bradford Association for Visually Impaired People.

The 34-year-old from Queensbury was born with severe visual impairment and is registered blind.

She said: "I would like the WYCA to consult with people who have many disabilities - visually impaired, fully blind, wheelchair users - and to come up with a solution.

"Come and do a journey with us. Come spend some time with us and see how we struggle.

"Nothing is going to be perfect, but don't just do something and expect us to have to deal with it.

"Because we're having to fork out - £15 it cost me the other day just to get into town by taxi. And it's not on, people are losing money."

Roadworks are making access to the temporary bus station even harder

A WYCA spokesperson said: "We recognise that the closure of the Interchange bus station and wider city centre construction work have caused particular issues for those with access needs.

"Together with Bradford Council, we’ve worked with a variety of groups to try to improve access around the city centre and will continue to do so.

"We’re happy to engage with the groups mentioned and would urge them to get in touch with us so we can find out how best to help meet their needs over the coming months."

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].