Fenced-off arches will improve area - civic group

The fencing appeared at Bradford's Forster Square railway station at the end of last week

The fencing off of 10 railway arches at Bradford Forster Square station will "definitely be an improvement" for the area, according to the city's civic society.

The arches, which had been used by rough sleepers, were closed off at the end of last week by Bradford Council and will eventually be used as art spaces as part of next year's City of Culture.

Support organisation Homeless Not Hopeless (HNH) branded the move "heartless".

But Bradford Civic Society chair Si Cunningham said many visitors would "really welcome these improvements".

Pedestrians had complained of feeling intimidated walking past the archways while others were sympathetic towards the rough sleepers' plight

Mr Cunningham said: "I think a lot of people who come into Bradford city centre via Forster Square will really welcome these improvements.

"For many years now it's been quite a startling arrival into Bradford to see the state the arches have become in recent years.

"To see them fenced off is definitely going to be an improvement on the area.

"And I think also it will really help those people who have been choosing to live a street-based lifestyle in the city centre too."

A small tent has already been pitched in flower beds next to the fenced-off archways

A Bradford Council spokesperson said the arches were empty and had no one in them at the time the fences were put up.

When the work began there was one person sleeping there who "has been offered alternative emergency accommodation and ongoing support".

The spokesperson added: “The first stages of planned work to enhance the area near Forster Square railway station has started.

"This involves the preparatory work of closing off the railway arches in preparation for installing gates and new lighting to the arches.

“Our Homeless Outreach Partnership has been working closely on a daily basis for months with the people who sleep rough in the arches, to help them access the support that is available for them."

The archways were being used as a tented encampment by rough sleepers

HNH organiser Steve Richardson said there did not seem to have been any consultation with those sleeping in the archways and the fencing off felt "a bit heartless to us".

The council spokesperson said living in the railway arches was "not an appropriate, safe solution for people on the streets, some of whom are the most vulnerable in our society".

They added: "Supporting these people is a key priority for the council, and we will continue to work with our many partners and associated services to offer a wide range of support to anyone who needs it across the district.”

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.