Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Providing an accessible, attractive and cleaner alternative to car journeys is at the heart of Leeds City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) - a major new programme of transport infrastructure investment secured as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal.

The programme will be funded through £317 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) plus local match funding of up to £140 million.  

In partnership with local authorities, the Combined Authority will deliver transformational infrastructure, which will dramatically improve people’s access to walking, cycling and public transport.

It is estimated TCF schemes will improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people, take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads and reduce CO2 emissions from car travel by up to 15,000 tonnes by 2036.  

Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides.

The programme will deliver:

• two new Park & Rides
• one new rail station
• four new foot and cycle bridges
• six new or improved bus stations and interchange hubs
• new high quality cycle routes along six corridors
• bus priority along six key bus routes to create more reliable and faster bus journey times
• 800 new cycle parking spaces
• seven improvements to Rail Station Gateways
• new Real Time Information and improved passenger experience across the network.  

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is working in partnership with local authority colleagues from Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York councils on the TCF programme.

It is estimated TCF will:

• improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people
• take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads by 2036
• make 33 million rail journeys easier by improvements to rail stations
• increase bus, rail, and walking and cycling trips by up to 6%, 4% and 7% respectively by 2036
• reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1.5% / 15,000 tonnes from car travel by 2036
• create more than 1,000 jobs and add up to £1 billion to the economy by 2036
• support connectivity to 650 housing sites and 220 employment sites

As part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the DfT’s TCF programme to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario.

Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to an additional £140 million.  

This additional funding will help us deliver more transport improvements, which will benefit communities across West Yorkshire. 

This work is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.

We need to reduce car trips by 21% and increase cycling trips by 2,000%, walking trips by 78%, bus strips by 39% and rail trips by 53% if we are to achieve our ambitious net zero targets in this time frame. 

The programme will connect people to economic and education opportunities through accessible, affordable, attractive and cleaner transport, boosting productivity and helping to create healthier and happier communities for the future.  

Through the programme and building on the significant progress already made, we are working in partnership to transform our town and city centres for walking and cycling, improve bus reliability and journey times, and investing in our region to prepare for HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides.

The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities.  This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.   

There are 22 packages of schemes, comprising 35 individual projects, within the overall programme.

Different schemes are at different stages, right through from the development of business cases and designs, to gearing up for public consultation, with Halifax Bus Station redevelopment due to start on site in spring 2021.  

Find out more information at westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF 

The schemes funded through the DfT need to be delivered by spring 2023, with schemes financed by local match funding being delivered beyond these timescales.

To date, there has been minimal impact of the programme as a result of COVID-19.  The majority of the projects are at the early stages of development and much of the work required can be carried out virtually.   As the schemes move to the next stage of delivery, we will continue to monitor the impact and identify any risks to delivery.  

We are also looking at best practice ways of delivering public consultations and engagement activity to ensure all members of the community get the opportunity to have their say on TCF schemes during COVID-19.  

The full implications of COVID-19 on the region, the economy and the transport system are still to be understood and the impact on the Combined Authority’s programmes and schemes to date has been mixed. 

We are working closely with our local authority partners at every level of our appraisal process to ensure delivery timescales have taken into account the current issues and that each scheme is stress tested to ensure its ongoing viability. 

In the wake of COVID-19 it is more important than ever to assess the changes to the landscapes of our towns and cities, and the impact on current and future planned schemes, particularly, but not exclusively, those relating to transport. 

The impact of COVID-19 in relation to travel behaviour into and around towns and cities is assessed as part of each scheme’s appraisal. 

While public transport patronage is currently lower than pre COVID-19 levels, it remains a priority to invest in public transport infrastructure to both help with economic recovery and to have the required infrastructure in place to respond to an increase in demand post-COVID-19. 

A range of options are being developed as part of each business case to determine the best scheme, which will include a range of options up to the high-cost scenario.

As part of the devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the DfT’s TCF to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario.

Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to £140 million. 

It will build on the significant investment already made through the Combined Authority’s other programmes, such as the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, Connecting Leeds and CityConnect.

Many of the TCF schemes provide enhancements or extensions to the projects being delivered through these programmes, helping to spread the benefits across a wider geography.  

The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities.  This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality. 

For more information about the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund visit westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund 

For more information about Connecting Leeds visit leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/connecting-leeds-and-transforming-travel 

For more information about CityConnect visit cyclecityconnect.co.uk 

Find out more information about the Transforming Cities Fund programme at westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF

Public consultation and engagement activities are taking place throughout 2021.  

Details of the TCF consultations can be found at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk. You can get in touch with the Combined Authority’s Consultation and Engagement team via YourVoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk, 0113 245 7676 or Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA).  Please note that, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the majority of the Combined Authority’s staff are working from home and there will therefore be significant delays in receiving any postal contributions. If you can, please contact the team using another method to ensure a quick response.

The bid was led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with the 10 local authorities across the Leeds City Region. It was developed in two stages, with a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) submitted to the DfT in June 2019. The final bid was submitted to the DfT in November 2019. The bid documents can be found at westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF

The bid was developed in partnership with local authorities across the Leeds City Region, including Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York. The bid was also co-developed with the DfT, which provided feedback on the plans as they emerged. In line with other Mayoral Combined Authorities, we are required to feedback on the progress of the programme’s delivery.  

The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities.  This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality. 

As part of the bidding process, the Combined Authority was asked to develop a series of schemes, which could be delivered under three different cost scenarios (low, core and high).   Each scheme needed to meet the Combined Authority’s priorities, as well as objectives set out by the DfT, such as reducing carbon emissions, and increasing capacity for commuters with better access to employment centres, especially from disadvantaged communities. 

Schemes put forward by local authorities were scored against the objectives before being reviewed as a programme.  Once agreement had been reached between local authority and Combined Authority officers, the programme was signed off by each of the leaders, as well as members of the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee.   

Bradford Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is bringing forward a flagship programme of forward-thinking transport schemes, alongside major public space enhancements, that will help us shape and drive forward Bradford’s future regeneration in the city centre and beyond. Our overarching vision is to create a greener, more sustainable, accessible, and vibrant district that has immediate benefits for people living, working, visiting and studying in Bradford today, that also paves the way for future investment across the district.  

The proposals being brought forward by Bradford Council will reduce reliance on car travel and contribute to reducing congestion across the district, providing cleaner air, protecting the health of local people, creating greener, more attractive public spaces and providing opportunities for regeneration. These changes will support Bradford’s ambition of becoming the UK’s leading ‘clean growth’ district and act as an enabler to the City of Culture BID.

Bradford’s Transforming Cities Fund schemes form an important part of a wider programme of forward-thinking transport and regeneration schemes being brought forward across the district that are helping us shape and drive forward Bradford’s regeneration in the city centre and beyond. 

Through TCF, new public spaces and planting will be created in the city centre, to improve the look and feel of the area and make the city centre an increasingly attractive place to spend time. It will also support more cycling and walking in the city centre to better connect different areas while reducing the impact of major roads that currently dominate parts of key areas in the city centre. Achieving this is crucial to attracting more people to live, work and socialise in the city centre – increasing vibrancy, and attracting new employers to the district, bringing jobs and investment.

Bradford’s TCF programme is also essential to reducing the current reliance on car travel and subsequent congestion across the wider district, ensuring our air is cleaner air to protect people’s health. This will be crucial in fulfilling our ambition of becoming the UK’s leading ‘clean growth’ district and the wider region’s ambitions of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.

Investing to improve sustainable transport options in Bradford is in everyone’s interests, making it easier for more people to get about, allowing us to grow the economy and create jobs, increase the vibrancy of our city centre, and support our City of Culture BID. 

The Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme is being brought forward to radically upgrade the look and feel of Bradford city centre through the introduction of new green spaces and the removal of traffic from key civic areas. The proposals would also see better quality walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure provided, to offer people improved transport choices.

The Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme has been designed to play a key role in the ambitious plans to boost the regeneration of Bradford city centre and bolster Bradford’s position as a leading contemporary UK city.     

Through a series of measures, the proposals would see through-traffic removed from key civic areas including Sunbridge Road, Bridge Street, Hall Ings, Broadway and Market Street, to create high-quality public spaces that will make walking around the city centre easier and more attractive. Access would still be available for deliveries within restricted times. 

Norfolk Gardens will be expanded, creating a major new green space on Hall Ings, between Jacobs Well roundabout and Bridge Street, tying into the new proposed pedestrian route from Bradford Interchange. 

As part of the scheme, new infrastructure would be delivered to improve access to the city centre via sustainable forms of travel including public transport, cycling and walking, leading to reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality in the city centre. The new cycle routes would tie into the existing cycle network, and the improved pedestrian environment would allow people to walk between entertainment and shopping areas more easily. 

The proposals would also improve bus service reliability through the creation of a new public transport corridor and the formation of seven new bus hubs, allowing people to be picked up and dropped off at key locations in the city centre. 

Alongside a number of existing ambitious projects, the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements proposals would reshape the civic heart of Bradford city centre by creating a hugely improved street scene with the introduction of new public and green spaces, whilst transforming travel into and around the city centre by improving public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure. 

Comprising of a package of measures to help transform Bradford’s city centre, the proposals would enable us to achieve the following aims:

• A transformation of Bradford’s civic centre

Bradford’s key civic areas are currently severed by busy main roads, creating an environment dominated by traffic, noise and air pollution. On-foot navigation between entertainment, shopping and civic areas is also difficult due to multiple road crossings.

The Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme would create a greener, more people-focused civic centre – providing better areas of public realm and maximising the city’s incredible architectural legacy. These changes would help to attract new employers and investors to the city, leading to the creation of new jobs and drawing more people to live and work in the city centre. 

• A more vibrant city centre cultural scene

The proposals would also help to better link schemes such as Bradford Live, One City Park and Darley Street Market together, increasing the vibrancy of the city centre.

Bradford is developing a major cultural and entertainment quarter to the west of the city centre and is now bidding for UK City of Culture 2025. The City Centre plans would improve the environment between the Interchange and Forster Square Station, providing a better welcome for those travelling to Bradford to visit its fantastic cultural offer. 

• Improved access to the city centre via walking, cycling and public transport

Bradford city centre currently lacks high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure, with safety and a lack of convenience currently preventing people from opting to get about this way. The proposals would address this, creating a walking and cycle-friendly city centre that is easy to get around without adding to pollution and congestion. 

Of course, cycling or walking into the city centre isn’t always suitable for people, depending on their circumstances, so we also want to make public transport an attractive option. At present, Bradford’s bus routes face delays as they cross the major road network approaching Bradford Interchange. This scheme would help to resolve these issues, improving bus journey times and service reliability.

• A reduction in carbon emissions

The UK Government has committed to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 from 1990 levels, while Bradford Council has committed to becoming the UK’s leading ‘clean growth’ district. By encouraging greater use of public transport, walking and cycling through the Bradford City Centre scheme, we can enable the economy to grow while reducing carbon emissions and tackling air pollution to complement the city’s forthcoming Clean Air Zone.

Alongside a number of existing ambitious projects, the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements proposals would reshape the civic heart of Bradford city centre by creating a hugely improved setting with the introduction of new public and green spaces, whilst transforming travel into and around the city centre by improving public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure. 

Bradford’s key civic areas are currently severed by busy main roads, creating an unpleasant environment dominated by traffic, noise and air pollution. Walking between entertainment, shopping and civic areas is difficult due to multiple road crossings, and a lack of cycling infrastructure deters many people from choosing to cycle through the city centre. Buses also face delays as they cross the major road network on approach to the Interchange, affecting service reliability. 

The Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements proposals would help to create a greener, more people focused civic centre complete with improved walking, cycling and bus infrastructure – enabling Bradford to achieve its aim of becoming the UK’s leading clean growth district. The plans would help to reduce car use and carbon emissions, attracting new investors and enabling the creation of new jobs. 

Creating a more pleasant, cleaner city centre environment is also crucial in encouraging more people to live in the city centre. Attracting new residents is expected to play a key part in bringing many of Bradford’s historic buildings back into active use.  

Encouraging more people to walk, cycle or use public transport to travel into and around the city centre will ultimately help improve localised air quality, especially if these trips have previously been made by private car. The TCF programme has also been developed closely alongside wider plans to improve air quality across the city and contribute to Bradford’s move towards becoming net zero carbon.  

Our proposals are designed to make the city centre a more appealing place for people to live, with an improved greener and safer environment and more public space. Where residents live on streets earmarked for pedestrianisation, deliveries would still be available. For smaller deliveries via companies like Amazon, parking and loading bays would be made available in the near vicinity to allow deliveries to be made. Our current plans would allow for deliveries to be made directly to homes on pedestrianised streets outside of peak daytime hours where this is required. This system is operated in various city’s across the country and allows for larger or more bulky deliveries to be made. We will consult with delivery companies and teams responsible for city centre security to find the most practical way to make this happen as our plans are developed further.

While access to public transport may not be available directly on a pedestrianised street, our plans have been designed to ensure access for taxi drop offs and pick ups would still be available at convenient locations nearby, bus services would still be available, with the addition of several new bus hubs planned around the city centre offering improved facilities and better service reliability, and cycle and walking access would be greatly improved. Through other funding streams, we also intend to install new additional secure cycle parking around the city centre.   

The investment in new public spaces and areas of pedestrianisation are specifically designed to make walking and cycling a more attractive option for getting around. 

The removal of Jacobs Well roundabout and the pedestrianisation of key streets within the city centre would allow for easy crossing from the east of the city centre to the west by cycling and walking, linking key cultural destinations to the city’s core.

New cycle routes and cycle parking would also be provided across the city centre, and pedestrian access to Bradford Interchange would also be dramatically improved through accompanying plans to improve the Interchange gateway.

The new cycle routes would connect into existing cycle routes such as Route 66, which forms part of the National Cycle Network (NCN). The routes will also connect into strategic cycling infrastructure delivered through the CityConnect Programme (Bradford-Leeds Cycle Superhighway and Canal Road Cycle route) as well as the new cycle routes being brought forward by other Bradford Transforming Cities Fund schemes, helping more people to easily and affordably access the city centre.

There are already a number of cycle racks available on-street and within car parks for bike parking.  In addition, cycle lockers are to be provided at key city centre locations, to provide additional more secure bike parking for people visiting the city centre by bike. 

The TCF programme includes complementary activities to encourage the take up of cycling, walking and public transport, led by the Combined Authority. This package of activity includes initiatives to provide improved cycle parking at businesses, schools and local community facilities.

Yes. Clear signage will be used to make routes easy to follow.

Encouraging more people to cycle is a priority for National Government who have recently shared their commitment to improving cycle infrastructure in the recently released ‘Gear Change’ paper. Our aim is to make cycling safer and to provide improved routes that are clearer for people to follow because that is what they have told us is stopping them traveling by bike. 

Especially for shorter trips, cycling is an efficient and quick way to get around, and evidence shows that many more people would cycle were the right facilities provided.

Getting as many people as possible to cycle is in everyone’s interests, whether they cycle or not, if we are to grow our economy without adding to emissions and poor air quality and reduce the impact of traffic congestion. 

A number of streets will be closed to vehicular traffic to create a better environment for cycling and walking as part of the City Centre proposals. Streets which are proposed to be closed and pedestrianised include: 

• Sunbridge Road and Bridge Street
• Hall Ings from Jacobs Well roundabout to Bridge Street
• Broadway and Market Street

Norfolk Gardens will be expanded creating a major new green space on Hall Ings, between Jacobs Well roundabout and Bridge Street, tying into the new proposed pedestrian route from Bradford Interchange.

New public spaces and pedestrianised areas will remove the barriers currently stopping people from cycling, such as the large volume of traffic and bus movements currently seen along Market Street and Bridge Street.

If we can improve infrastructure for cycling, we enable more people to cycle, which reduces congestion on the roads and improves air quality. For the past 50 years or so, most transport investment has focused on the road network for cars. This funding is specifically targeted at addressing this imbalance and improving more sustainable transport options – something that is crucial if we are to grow our economy and create jobs without adding to congestion and pollution.  

We want to make cycling a viable option for people and to deliver routes which are safe, convenient and continuous so that cycling becomes an attractive option for travelling to a destination, particularly when it comes to getting people to work at rush hour. 

To increase bus service reliability across the city centre, a new public transport corridor would be introduced along Well Street and Vicar Lane. This would allow bus services to travel through the city centre efficiently without incurring delays. The corridor would also help to facilitate the plans to create pedestrianised green areas of public realm while ensuring buses are still able to drop people off at key locations.

The public transport corridor would run from Forster Square along Valley Road, Well Street, Vicar Lane and Bridge Street down to the Interchange. Well Street would be reopened for public transport use, ensuring bus services are connected directly with the Broadway Shopping Centre. 

Seven new bus hubs are also proposed around the civic core of the city. The new hubs would feature improved facilities for waiting passengers, including features such as including features such as better seating, real time bus information and ticket purchasing services. The planned hubs would be located at Forster Square, Rawson Square, Goitside, City Park/Entertainment Quarter, Market Street, Cathedral and Little Germany/Broadway.

Some rail services may move to the preferred new stop for Northern Powerhouse Rail in the future at the St James Market station site, but the current Interchange site would remain as the main bus station and coach layover point. 

Bus hubs are groups of bus stops located at strategic points around the city centre. Many people choose to get the bus from Bradford Interchange at present, but bus hubs will provide easy-to-remember and distinctive reference points to catch your bus from in future, or to change between different bus routes. They will be easy to spot from a distance and feature high quality information to give people confidence that they are waiting at the right place for their bus, even for new bus users. 

All bus hubs will include enhanced facilities, with generous waiting spaces complemented with more seating and extra cover so that you aren’t left waiting in the rain. Some bus hubs could feature more facilities than others depending upon the space available and the likely number of people using them, but all will be more accessible than the current bus stops. Some could include vending kiosks, toilets and changing facilities and particular attention will be given to ensure that they are pleasantly lit and safe to wait at and feel like a natural extension of Bradford’s top-quality public realm.

If we can improve infrastructure for buses, we encourage more people to travel by bus rather than car which helps reduce congestion and improve air quality. 

Overall, we want to make the bus a better option for people, more reliable and quicker to its destination, particularly when it comes to getting people to work at rush hour.

Norfolk Gardens would be expanded out to create a major new green space and Hall Ings would be pedestrianised from Jacobs Well roundabout to Bridge Street, and therefore vehicular traffic removed, to support this. Sunbridge Road, Bridge Street, Broadway and Market Street would also be closed to through traffic. Vehicular access would still be available for deliveries within restricted times.

Through traffic access would be maintained on Manchester Road, Croft Street, Shipley Airdale Road, Leeds Road and Hall Ings up to Bridge Street. Vehicles would then able to use Bank Street and Kirkgate to loop around.

While through traffic will be removed from these roads, access for deliveries will be maintained - although it may change. Where there are new areas of pedestrianisation, we currently anticipate access for deliveries will be available during specified periods. We will consult with businesses and the various teams responsible for city centre security to ensure our final proposals are safe and effective.  

The nature of the changes that may impact you depends on your location. Access for deliveries will be maintained in all circumstances, albeit timed to specific hours. Please send us further details of the specific location of your property/unit and we can provide more details.

All of the proposed changes have been through modelling to show the impact the changes will have on surrounding roads. After analysis, we have concluded that any displacement of traffic can be accommodated by the road network.

Stimulating more trips using public transport, walking and cycling will reduce overall traffic and deliver substantial benefits, allowing the city centre to become more people-focused and attractive.

Taxis are subject to the same rules as buses, meaning they can travel through the bus corridors and along bus lanes in which private cars are prohibited. People will still be able to be picked up and dropped off by taxis wherever it is safe to do so, just like normal.

Taxi ranks are anticipated to remain largely as they are, in convenient locations. The taxi rank currently located in front of the Interchange on Hall Ings would be relocated to the rear of the station to allow for a pedestrianised approach to the station.

Under the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements proposals, new green public spaces would be formed in the city centre – complementing the city’s rich heritage while creating attractive and relaxing areas where people can rest and spend time with friends and family. To facilitate the formation of these spaces, a number of streets would be pedestrianised, removing through traffic to create a pleasant and pollution-free environment. 

Norfolk Gardens would be expanded out to create a major new green space, and Hall Ings would be pedestrianised from Jacobs Well roundabout to Bridge Street. Sunbridge Road, Bridge Street, Broadway and Market Street would also be closed to through traffic. Vehicular access would still be available for deliveries within restricted times.

Incorporated within these new areas of public realm would be enhanced paving, street trees, greenery, and plenty of seating. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) would also be applied to prevent flooding and mitigate against climate change while improving biodiversity. 

The new public spaces and pedestrianised areas would make it easier for people to walk and cycle between shopping and entertainment areas, while providing room for pavement cafes and dining as well as pop up events, creating a sense of vibrancy and activity. 

As the proposals currently stand, there are no plans remove any trees to accommodate the scheme. New street trees will be planted within the new areas of public realm, and if as the scheme designs develop there becomes a need to remove any trees, the loss will be offset by planting new ones.

The schemes will be designed in line with up-to-date highway design standards which incorporate the needs of all road users. These changes will depend on the environment and the type of scheme being implemented. The principle behind the cycle routes is that that they are separated from pedestrians with clear differences between the footway and cycleway. Crossing points will be designated and priority given to pedestrians.

People will still be able to be picked up and dropped off by taxis wherever it is safe to do so. In the case of taxis, these can go wherever buses and cars go. Taxis will not be able to drop off on Sunbridge Road, Bridge Street, Broadway, Market Street or Hall Ings. Other than that, access will be as it is now.

Seven new bus hubs are also proposed around the civic core of the city. The new hubs would feature improved facilities for waiting passengers, including features such as better seating, real time bus information and ticket purchasing services. The planned hubs would be located at Forster Square, Rawson Square, Goitside, City Park/Entertainment Quarter, Market Street, Cathedral and Little Germany/Broadway, allowing people to be dropped off at key locations close to the shops and leisure destinations.

Overall, we hope the plans will make it better for older and vulnerable people to enjoy the city centre. Our plans would see reduced traffic in and around key shopping areas of the city, including new areas of pedestrianisation. Our aim is to also make the city centre more attractive and the increase in public space will feature benches for people to rest and relax across the area.

Seven new bus hubs are also proposed around the civic core of the city. The new hubs would feature improved facilities for waiting passengers, including features such as better seating, real time bus information and ticket purchasing services. The planned hubs would be located at Forster Square, Rawson Square, Goitside, City Park/Entertainment Quarter, Market Street, Cathedral and Little Germany/Broadway, allowing people to be dropped off at key locations close to the shops and leisure destinations.

The pedestrianisation of some of the key roads in Bradford City Centre would require the removal of some on-street car parking spaces from Bridge Street, Sunbridge Street, Broadway and Hall Ings. 

These on-street car parking spaces will be relocated, with this scheme providing the opportunity to look at specific requirements for kerb space, including how we provide space for loading, disabled parking and taxi ranks. Fundamentally, this will allow us to look at where these need to be located to provide for the needs of businesses and the public.

No – there will be still be access to city centre car parks, although under our plans for the Interchange, the NCP car park on Hall Ings will be demolished to create a new gateway entrance to the Interchange.

Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK, we will be unable to hold face-to-face consultation events during this consultation. We are, however, embracing a wide range of communication methods including postcards, leaflets and a dedicated consultation website for people to see the plans, provide their views and give feedback.

Bradford Council has so far developed early-stage proposals for the City Centre project, as well as the other three TCF schemes aimed at improving the options in Bradford for sustainable travel and improving the local environment. We want to find out the public’s views on the scheme before progressing to the detailed design stage. We want to ask for feedback on the proposals via the public consultation to ensure that we have considered all opportunities and possible issues when looking at how and where to deliver these changes. Your feedback will help us to understand where we can make improvements to the proposed schemes and allow us to be confident that our proposals are comprehensive.

After the public consultation, the plans for the four schemes will be further developed in line with the feedback received and an Outline Business Case for Bradford TCF will be produced, which will go to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for consideration later in the year. Once the Combined Authority have fed back on the Outline Business Case, a Full Business Case will then be developed and submitted for final approval, ahead of scheme implementation. There is a tight turn around for delivery of the TCF schemes, with all schemes required to be completed by spring 2023. Therefore, we hope to be able to begin work on the first elements in early 2022.

The current consultation is the first opportunity to comment on the form of the proposals planned for the City Centre scheme. People can comment by email, post, freephone telephone or online. Through the consultation, we want to gather the views of all interested and affected parties.  

After the consultation, we will test and refine our plans to secure the confirmation of funding for each project. Later in the process, there will then be additional consultation to support the further design of the scheme, ahead of finalisation and implementation. Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide comments at this stage of the process also. 

After the public consultation, the plans for the scheme will be further developed in line with the feedback received and an Outline Business Case for Bradford TCF will be produced, which will go to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for consideration later in the year.

Once feedback on the Outline Business Case has been received, a Full Business Case will then be developed and submitted for final approval, ahead of scheme implementation. 

The DfT element of the funding for the TCF programme has a spend deadline of spring 2023. Work is progressing to deliver schemes within this funding deadlines. We hope to be able to provide more details on proposed implementation timescales in the autumn once designs are progressed further and the scheme business case is completed for approval by the Combined Authority.