FAQs
- 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.
- A dedicated website www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/BradfordBeck with an online survey and Q&A.
- Meetings with Local Ward Councillors
- Press releases and social media via both Bradford Council and the Combined Authority’s platforms
- A door-to-door leaflet drop to almost 4,000 residential properties and businesses in the vicinity within a 400 metres radius of the proposed Bradford and Shipley Route Improvement Scheme.
- Drop-in event at Shipley Fire Station on 15 December 2021, 10:00-14:00
- Webinar on 6 January 2022, 18:00-19:00
- One-to-one telephone calls with a member of the project team arranged via MetroLine.
- Metro Messenger e-newsletter and YourVoice newsletter to registered mailing list.
- Real-time displays and posters at bus stops and strategic locations.
- Variable Messaging Sign (VMS) roadside displays.
- Through networks of relevant interest groups and stakeholders including those who responded to previous phases of the Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme consultations.
- The engagement materials made available upon request in hardcopies and in other formats (e.g. large print, braille, alternative languages).
- Paper survey which can be returned via a freepost address.
Who is responsible for delivering the scheme?
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.
What is 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).
What is the Naturalising Bradford Beck scheme?
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:
How does this scheme relate to the Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme?
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.
What area does the ‘Bradford Shipley Route Improvement Scheme’ cover?
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).
How will naturalising Bradford Beck reduce flood risks?
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 from 20% to 2%. A larger water channel will create greater flood water storage and reduce the downstream flooding risk.
Will any trees be affected in this scheme?
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.
Who are the funders and what is the cost of the total scheme?
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.
Can the money be spent on any other projects?
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.
What are the timescales for delivering this 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 programmed to start in winter 2022 and be completed in summer 2023.
How will the construction of the scheme affect local residents, businesses and commuters?
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 effort will be taken to minimise these.
The cycle footpath Greenway will be temporarily moved to Valley Road with separate easy paths for cyclists and pedestrians.
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.
Why are there shared cycling and walking routes?
The shared cycling and walking routes are a replacement of the existing provision as close as possible to the current location.
How will this scheme benefit people walking along the Beck?
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.
How will this scheme benefit people cycling along the Beck?
The improvements represent a more pleasant and attractive environment to cycle along and provide a useful mid route stopping location.
What will Bradford Council do to address the air quality along this corridor?
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.
How are we making this engagement accessible?
We are taking steps to make sure people in the local community know about the engagement and can have their say via the following:
Who can provide feedback?
We welcome opinions and feedback from anyone. Whether you travel by public transport, walk, drive, cycle, are a business owner, local resident or just travel through the area. Your views and insight are valuable to us and will help shape our scheme.
Please share this page with anyone you think would be interested in taking part in the public engagement. If you intend to submit a joint response on behalf of a group or organisation, please share the link with your colleagues or members so they can provide an individual response, should they wish to do so.
How can I have my say?
This engagement will take place from 6 December 2021 until 16 January 2022 (6 weeks).
Further details of the engagement and the survey can be downloaded via www.yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk/BradfordBeck.
We are keen to hear from local residents, businesses and commuters.
We are encouraging people to register on www.yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk to be kept involved and informed about the outcome of the engagement.
What will you do with my feedback?
Your feedback is important, we need to demonstrate that we have taken onboard feedback as part of the on-going development of the wider scheme.
How will we ensure the engagement will be accessible to people who do not have access to the Internet?
Leaflets will be provided via door-to-door letter drop around the area. Hardcopies of the engagement materials are available and can be requested using the MetroLine telephone number 0113 245 7676.
What happens after the engagement period?
Following the engagement period, the survey responses will be analysed and publish in an Engagement Report which will form a part of the Statement of Community Engagement for the upcoming Planning Application.
We are encouraging people to register on www.yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk to be kept involved and informed about the outcome of the engagement.