Bradford arches used by homeless to be blocked off

Tents are often to be found in the 10 arches on the route between Cheapside and the station

Railway arches near a Bradford railway station that are regularly used by rough sleepers are to be gated off.

The empty arches in the walkway between Cheapside and Forster Square station will have 3m-high (9.8ft) decorated panels, with new lighting inside.

They have become well-established camps, many with wooden pallets and traffic cones dividing sleeping areas.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Bradford Council would work with homelessness charities to support those who currently sleep in the arches and will be unable to access them once the decorative gates are installed.

The work will be funded by Network Rail, which owns the arches, and carried out by Bradford Council.

'Address problems'

The council said the changes will lead to a "much improved public realm" around the station.

The work will be part of a wider regeneration of Forster Square, which involves a new platform being built later this year.

John Tempest, who runs Bradford Soup Run, a charity that provides food to the city's homeless, said the measures would not be needed if the homeless were better supported in the first place.

He said: "I understand why the council is wanting to eliminate all visual aspects of homelessness prior to their City of Culture celebrations next year.

"Maybe if they first addressed the problems of finding homes for the weakest members of society [the homeless]; and then help them find meaningful jobs there would be no need for them to congregate at The Arches."

Bradford Council said it would ensure people currently using the arches got the support they needed

Details of the plan were uploaded to a government website last week, which is used to invite businesses to apply for contracts to carry out projects such as public realm work.

The post said: "The scheme is aimed at fencing off a series of 10 stone arches adjacent to Forster Square railway station in Bradford.

"Anti-social behaviour has become an issue and the authority is looking to block public access by installing 3m high decorative corten panels.

"The authority has developed outline designs for the steel structure upon which these panels are to be attached. However further detail design work is required to complete the design."

It says the contract is expected to begin in late May and end in late August.

'Greater security'

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: "As part of station improvements including an additional platform at Forster Square, the condition of the arches outside the station is also being addressed.

"Network Rail, which owns the arches, have agreed to fund a scheme to further enhance the area with new lighting and greater security to create a much-improved public realm."

Referring to the rough sleepers who regularly occupy the site, they added: "The council will continue to work with homelessness agencies and local charities to ensure those currently using the arches have the support they need to address health and wellbeing issues and access settled accommodation wherever possible."