Closed bus station could reopen by January 2025

The bus interchange has been closed since January

Bradford Interchange bus station could reopen by January 2025, under plans being drawn up by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The terminus has been closed since the start of the year after a section of concrete fell into the car park underneath the building.

The WYCA said after reviewing the initial findings of structural surveys the risk of reopening was "low when mitigated by appropriate safety measures" and said it was "working at pace on plans to bring the structure back into operation".

A final decision is set to be made at a meeting next month.

According to a new report, the measures include structural monitoring through periodic safety inspections and the provision of netting in the basement, alongside a staged reopening and preparation of an incident management plan.

It said work was underway to ensure the bus station would be safe for passengers after months of being out of operation, with checks on fire escapes, lifts and doors needed.

The WYCA said that while the interchange had "reached the end of its design life" it could remain in use with "a certain level of investment".

It added that it was also working on longer-term plans for an alternative bus station facility in the city centre, which could tie in with the proposed mass transit system linking Bradford and Leeds.

There were now plans to reopen the building with safety measures in January 2025

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said staff were working "flat out" to reopen the interchange quickly and safely,

“We know the closure of the bus station has caused real hardship for the people of Bradford and West Yorkshire and I want to thank the public for their patience," she said.

“It was the right decision to make at the time, but I’m really encouraged by the survey findings being outlined today and relieved that it can be reopened once mitigations have been implemented."

Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council and Chair of the WYCA transport committee, said she recognised "how incredibly challenging" the closure had been and that she was "relieved" the WYCA was now "mobilising to re-open the interchange".

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