Four-month plan to improve rail station entrance

The taxi rank will be moved and turned into a pedestrian-only plaza if plans are approved

Multimillion-pound plans to improve public access to Bradford Interchange railway station have been unveiled.

The scheme includes turning the current taxi rank into a plaza for pedestrians, creating a new city centre green space and refurbishing the station's toilets.

It is hoped the project will be completed in time for the start of Bradford's UK City of Culture celebrations in 2025.

Bradford Interchange's concourse and bus station have been closed since January due to safety concerns after concrete fell from the roof of an underground car park.

A decision on the bus station's future is not due to be made until at least September.

A new park will be built on land which housed an NCP car park

Bradford Council is leading the scheme alongside the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), with the cost of the overall project estimated to be about £8m.

The scheme was revealed by the council's highways services manager Richard Gelder at City Hall along with David Haskins from the WYCA.

"This has been developed at a rapid pace," Mr Gelder said.

"What we're seeing here will happen in the next four months."

People currently have to catch buses from temporary stops across the city centre, with rail passengers using an entrance up a steep ramp on Bridge Street.

The taxi rank will be moved on to Bridge Street adjacent to the railway station

Under the proposals, which still require planning permission, the escalator inside the railway station would be reopened.

Hoardings would shepherd passengers through the concourse and out into a fully pedestrianised plaza with seating and trees in planters.

The toilet block would be revamped and made free to use, with the existing taxi rank moved to Bridge Street.

Asked if the scheme was compromised by the continuing closure of the bus station, Mr Haskins replied: "It's certainly not a sticking plaster.

"It's an improvement to the passenger environment and allows the passengers to have better access to the railway station."

An update on whether the bus station at Bradford Interchange will reopen is expected in September

The scheme also includes the creation of a new green space on the site of the recently demolished NCP car park.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Bradford’s residents, passengers and visitors deserve a fitting gateway to the city.

“We know the closure of the Interchange has presented real challenges, but these works will help create a welcoming and attractive entry point for people visiting the city centre."

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