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 South Bradford Park & Ride and Expressway, located adjacent to the M606 motorway, is a transformational proposal to reduce congestion and pollution along Manchester Road. A bus priority corridor with high-quality, high frequency services and complementary segregated cycle lanes along Manchester Road would provide quick and attractive journey times to and from the city centre. The new high-quality cycle route will also transform access to the city centre from the south of the city for cyclists. 

The scheme would see a dedicated busway, running inbound and outbound, implemented along the length of Manchester Road, which would help to reduce congestion and journey times along one of the busiest travel corridors in Bradford and provide an attractive service for public transport users. The Park & Ride has been designed to make it particularly attractive to commuters by car, who can travel into Bradford from further afield and then use the dedicated bus service for onward journeys into and out of the city centre to avoid delays, congestion and queueing. As part of the proposals, bus hubs would be introduced every 400 meters along Manchester Road, with the aim of serving the communities located along the route, as well as improving end to end journey times for those travelling from the Park & Ride to the city centre.

A minimum of 500 car parking spaces would be provided at the Park & Ride to be located next to Odsal Stadium, offering a turn up-and-go dedicated bus service to access the city centre. The site will be complemented by a terminal building with waiting amenities, plentiful secure parking for cars and bicycles and provision for electric bus and car charging. 

A new largely segregated cycleway will also be implemented on Manchester Road to provide cyclists with safe, secure space to travel easily and conveniently between the city centre and areas to the south of the city, including the Park & Ride site. The scheme would tie into existing segregated cycling infrastructure at Clayton Lane and connect into the National Cycle Network Route 66 which deviates from Manchester Road at the Trident Bridge, as well as the Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway and the Bradford Canal Road Cycleway. 

With an average of over 37,000 vehicles driving down Manchester Road every day, it is in the top five busiest roads in Bradford which often leads to congestion and high levels of pollution for the communities along the route. By encouraging more people to use public transport or the Park & Ride, the scheme will reduce congestion and both noise and air pollution along the Manchester Road corridor, providing people with viable alternatives to using the car. 

The South Bradford Park & Ride will also aim to improve cycling provision from south Bradford to the city centre by providing a safe, segregated cycle route to encourage those who previously may not have felt comfortable cycling along such a busy route the confidence to do so. 

In tandem with the other TCF and highways projects planned for Bradford District, the scheme will help to create a transport network fit for the 21^st century, addressing key challenges around capacity, connectivity, sustainability and air quality. This is essential 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.

The scheme also aims to support residents living in the south of Bradford to live healthier lives by providing people with the opportunity to be more active, while helping to reduce air and noise pollution in the area. Poor air quality currently leads to around 40,000 premature deaths per year in the UK.

With an average of over 37,000 vehicles driving down Manchester Road every day, it is in the top five busiest roads in Bradford which often leads to congestion and high levels of pollution in the communities along the route. By encouraging more people to use public transport or the Park & Ride, the scheme will reduce congestion and both noise and air pollution along the Manchester Road corridor, providing people with viable alternatives to using the car. 

With sometimes unreliable public transport services and no dedicated segregated cycle route in place at present, many people who access the city centre rely on using a car. By linking the city centre with key areas in south Bradford, including local communities along the Manchester Road corridor, the scheme will increase the number of realistic options for people to use to get about Bradford without a car. 

In addition to this, the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements will see some motor vehicle traffic removed from the civic heart of Bradford, and the need to demolish the current NCP car park on Hall Ings in order to facilitate the Bradford Interchange Station Access improvements. The South Bradford Park & Ride will provide a minimum of 500 parking spaces complete with a dedicated connection onwards to the city centre, effectively replacing the parking capacity the NCP provided.

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.  

The Park & Ride and Expressway will offer a turn-up-and-go service with quick and attractive journey times to and from the city centre. A new segregated Bus Expressway will be implemented along the length of Manchester Road, linking the site (which is next to Odsal Stadium, between the M606 motorway and Cleckheaton Road) with the city centre. This will ensure buses have priority along Manchester Road and do not become stuck in traffic, meaning people can get between south Bradford and the city centre quickly and easily.

The Bus Expressway would tie into the Park & Ride via a bus-only access road off Rooley Avenue, and would run down the entirety of Manchester Road, ending at the Croft Street Gyratory. To support the new infrastructure, Croft Street Gyratory would be re-designed to facilitate quicker bus movements through this area. The Bus Expressway will benefit both the Park & Ride services and commercial buses using the Manchester Road corridor.

A series of bus hubs will also be introduced approximately every 400 meters along the Bus Expressway, ensuring buses serve local communities in south Bradford and from further afield with faster end to end journey times between the city centre and the Manchester Road corridor.

Currently, public transport services which use Manchester Road are often caught in traffic due to how busy it is. Around 37,000 vehicles use Manchester Road every day, meaning it is in the top five busiest roads in the district, and this can lead to congestion and therefore more pollution. 

With unreliable public transport services and no dedicated segregated cycle route in place at present, many people who access the city centre rely on using a car. By linking the city centre with key areas in South Bradford, including local communities along the Manchester Road corridor, the scheme will increase the number of realistic options for people to use to get about Bradford without a car. 

In addition to this, the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements will see some motor vehicle traffic removed from the civic heart of Bradford, and the need to demolish the current NCP car park on Hall Ings in order to facilitate the Bradford Interchange Station Access improvements. The South Bradford Park & Ride will provide a minimum of 500 parking spaces complete with a dedicated connection onwards to the city centre, effectively replacing the parking capacity the NCP provided.

The new Expressway is being proposed to reduce bus journey times along Manchester Road both for current services and also the new South Bradford Park & Ride bus service, increasing the attractiveness of bus services for both existing and new bus passengers.

The current bus priority along Manchester Road does not provide full bus lane provision in each direction with services having to join general traffic lanes at certain sections, increasing the overall bus journey time. The new Expressway will provide bus lanes for the whole length of Manchester Road in both directions and additionally will have sufficient space along the route for a bus using a bus stop to be overtaken by buses who have no need to use the stop.

Bus Hubs will have access to improved information screens providing real time journey information, improved lighting and security features and will be located at integrated crossing points to make accessing the expressway simpler.

It is planned that there will be bus hubs approximately every 400 meters along the Manchester Road corridor, serving local communities along the route and ensuring improved end to end journey times for public transport users.

Park & Ride buses will travel non-stop into and out of the City Centre, and it is hoped that the average journey time will be 5-6 minutes as opposed to 10-12 minutes in current peak time traffic.

A minimal number of bus stops may be relocated to accommodate the scheme. However, with the introduction of new Bus Hubs every 400 meters along Manchester Road, most people will be closer to a bus stop along the corridor than they were previously.

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.

As part of the South Bradford Park & Ride and Expressway, a new, largely segregated cycle route would also be introduced along the A641 Manchester Road corridor. The new route would provide cyclists with safe, secure space to travel easily and conveniently between the city centre and areas to the south of the city, including the Park & Ride site, helping to ease congestion and pollution along the Manchester Road corridor.

The scheme would utilise existing segregated cycling infrastructure at Clayton Lane and connect into the National Cycle Network Route 66 which deviates from Manchester Road at the Trident Bridge, as well as the Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway and the Bradford Canal Road Cycleway. 

The scheme would utilise existing segregated cycling infrastructure at Clayton Lane and connect into the National Cycle Network Route 66 which deviates from Manchester Road at the Trident Bridge, as well as the Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway and the Bradford Canal Road Cycleway ensuring cyclists can make both shorter journeys and longer journeys easily.

As part of the Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements scheme, cycle lockers will be  provided at key city centre locations, providing secure bike storage. Cycling stands are also already available in various locations across the city centre.

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.

There will also be a secure bike storage hub at the Park & Ride site enabling people to cycle to the site and catch a bus along the Expressway into the city centre.

The new cycle route along Manchester Road will be mainly segregated via a kerb physically separating cyclists from general traffic lanes.

At key traffic signal junctions along the route cyclists will have their own green / red traffic signal to allow them to make manoeuvres in their own space and time without having to mix with general traffic.

There are no major changes to how cars would use the Manchester Road corridor. At major junctions, buses and cyclists will have priority to ensure end to end journey times are quicker and cyclists are safer. As well as this, the Croft Street Gyratory will be redesigned to accommodate quicker bus movements through the area, however, cars will still be able to use Manchester Road as they currently do.

Once drivers reach the city centre at the Croft Street Gyratory, Norfolk Gardens is planned to be expanded out to create a major new green space with cycling and walking improvements, and therefore 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. This is part of the City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvement scheme. 

An average of 37,000 vehicles currently drive along Manchester Road every day which currently leads to congestion and therefore increased pollution. By proposing a Park & Ride that offers a faster, more comfortable and convenient way to get into the city centre, the numbers of cars travelling into the city centre along this route should reduce. 

All of the proposed changes have been through modelling, and this shows no overall negative impact for the road network. 

There are currently no plans to give taxis priority along the Bus Expressway as this could cause congestion for buses using the Expressway, hindering end to end journey times for users.

Yes. The Park & Ride and Bus Expressway will be operational on matchdays.

This is something that is being looked at and will be considered as part of future scheme development. Bradford Council are working with the Bradford Bulls and the Odsal Stadium to find a solution which works for everyone.

There would be a minimum of 500 car parking spaces, a terminal building with waiting amenities, plentiful secure cycle parking and provision for electric bus and car charging.

The use of the Park & Ride site will be incentivised to make it attractive to car users.

The sites operational times are not yet decided but are likely to be 6am-7pm, but special provision may be made for City Centre events outside those times.

It is currently planned that there will be a minimum of 500 parking spaces provided at the Park & Ride site. The exact number of parking spaces provided will be confirmed at the detail design stage where we will look to maximise the number of spaces.

Access to all of the car parks in Bradford city centre which are currently in use will remain for cars to use. While there are plans for the NCP car park on Hall Ings to be demolished in order to support the Bradford Interchange Station Access scheme, the Park & Ride will more than offset any parking which could be lost from the NCP car park.

Yes, there will be disabled and accessible parking provided at the Park & Ride site – approximately 30-50 spaces.

While e-scooters are a less carbon emitting form of transport, it is currently illegal to operate privately owned e-scooters on public roads or pavements, they would therefore not be allowed on the Manchester Road cycle route.

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 South Bradford Park & Ride and Expressway 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 South Bradford Park & Ride and Expressway 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.