FAQs

Bradford Council is responsible for delivering the scheme. Bradford Council is working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The Combined Authority works with local councils and businesses to ensure that everyone in our region benefits from a strong, successful economy and a modern, accessible transport network.

Bradford Council were awarded funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to prepare business case submissions for making improvements as part of the Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme in Bradford. The proposals are focused on delivering a variety of interventions, after this corridor was prioritised for investment by WYCA.

Bradford Council is working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority was formed in April 2014 to be the driving force for economic growth across the Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield districts and the City of York Council area. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority brings together key decision-making powers into a single body. To find out more visit: www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk (opens in a new page).

This is a great opportunity to naturalise a part of Bradford Beck on Canal Road and

create a beautiful park everyone can enjoy. The project will also deliver a safe home for nature, improve air quality and reduce the risk of flooding in the local area.

Part of the project will remove a concrete box culvert from a section of Bradford Beck located between Poplar Road and Briggate in an area locally known as Shipley Fields.

The aims of the project are to:

• Reduce flood risk
• Enhance wildlife value
• Heighten access to and enjoyment of green space
• Increase awareness of Bradford Beck
• Improve sustainable transport links
• Plant and manage more trees and woodland
• Promote active recreation and better community health
• Inform the public about the industrial history of the area and Bradford Canal.

The Naturalising Bradford Beck Scheme is part of the Bradford Shipley

Route Improvement Scheme. Additional European funding has recently been secured to improve Bradford Beck. Due to funding time constraints the Beck will be naturalised first. This will not influence the development of the Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme which will be available at a separate engagement in autumn 2022.

This scheme is located on two main roads outside of the Bradford Ring Road towards Shipley:

- A650 Manningham Lane / Keighley Road / Bradford Road (A650 Manningham Lane Route)

- A6037 Canal Road / Valley Road (A6037 Canal Road Route).

Further details of the scheme is available via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/BradfordShipley (opens in a new page).

One of the key drivers of the project is to tackle an existing flood risk which is predicted to get worse. The area upstream of the Valley Road culvert currently has a high chance of flooding in any given year due to culverts (tunnels carrying the river underground) on the beck restricting water flows.

Opening the beck back up by removing culverts will permanently remove this significant flooding hazard.

Water modelling has predicted that re-naturalising the beck will reduce the annual flooding risk at the junction of Poplar Road and Valley Road from 20% to 2%. A larger channel will create greater flood water storage and reduce overall flood risk.

There is potential for the scheme to impact upon trees as part of this scheme.

Any habitat that is lost as a result of the scheme will be offset in order to achieve a biodiversity net gain across the scheme.

Over 300 trees will be planted, including at least three trees to compensate for each tree felled.

The total project budget of £3.25m has now been secured with £1.625m coming from the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) and £1.625m from Bradford Council.

The Council funding will be reimbursed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority via the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund after the project is completed.

No, the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) portion is available specifically for the Naturalising Bradford Beck Scheme; and the portion to be reimbursed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority is specific to the Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme.

The Naturalising Bradford Beck Scheme is currently in development. Detailed investigations have been completed and a preferred plan has been drawn up based on these findings.

The works are expected to start on site in late January 2023 and are expected to be completed by summer 2023.

It is anticipated that the works will take around six months to complete. During this time there will be some disruption caused by noise, dust, increased vehicles and the closure of the site area. All efforts will be taken to minimise these.

The Greenway will remain open for the duration of the works.

Noise will be limited through strict working hours and dust reduction measures will be used on site.

Work will be monitored throughout the construction period and any adjustments made as necessary.

The shared cycling and walking routes are a replacement of the existing provision as close as possible to the current location.

We will be looking at ways to improve the walking environment and make routes safer and more attractive to use. Walking routes will be provided both on and off the highway creating better connections to local amenities, such as schools and shops.

The improvements represent a more pleasant and attractive environment to cycle along and provide a useful mid route stopping location.

Bradford is preparing an air quality plan which will protect and enhance the health of everyone who lives, works or spends time in the district including the Bradford Shipley Route area. Those details can be found on the following website: www.bradford.gov.uk/breathe-better-bradford/breathe-better-bradford (external link)

The scheme will improve the flow of traffic and reduce idling at junctions. This in turn will contribute to improved air quality.