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West Bradford - Cycle Superhighway Extension

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This second round of consultation has now closed. Thank you to everyone who gave feedback.

All responses are summarised in the Consultation Outcome Report.

The following information was presented between 30 August - 11 October 2022. Please note the plans have been developed further following the consultation. The plans on this page are not an accurate reflection of the final scheme. To view all updates and the latest information on this project please visit the Future Bradford website.

Introduction

Bradford Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, wants to make it easier to cycle around west Bradford. We are proposing a series of improvements and would like your feedback.

The 'West Bradford - Cycle Superhighway Extension' is an ambitious proposal to build a direct, largely segregated cycle route between Bradford city centre and Thornton village.

The Superhighway Extension would provide a safer, easier, more convenient space for people to cycle between the city centre and areas to the west of the city. The scheme is funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).

How can I get involved?

On this webpage you will find information to help you understand what is proposed and what has changed since the first round of consultation that took place in Summer 2021.

We recommend you look at the maps, read the plans, and view the frequently asked questions, before you complete our survey.

We will also be holding some face-to-face events where you can find out about the proposals from the project team and ask them questions. These will take place on:

  • Friday 23 September at the Broadway Shopping Centre (in front of Superdrug) from 2pm – 7pm
  • Saturday 24 September at the Fairweather Events Hall from 10am – 4pm


Artist's impression of a segregated cycle track


The Aims

  • Make it safer and easier for more people to cycle
  • Reduce congestion and reliance on cars
  • Improve air quality and noise pollution
  • Improve public transport reliability and journey times
  • Empower residents to live healthier lives with more opportunities to be active

The Proposals

The proposed route would begin in the city centre at the junction of Sunbridge Road and Barry Street. Travelling west from the city centre, the route would run along Sunbridge Road, before joining Thornton Road at its junction with City Road, passing Girlington, Crossley Hall and Lower Grange before reaching the village of Thornton:


Overview mapOverview map - click to enlarge and zoom in



Following our first round of consultation between July and August 2021, we reviewed the design of the scheme in response to feedback and have made some changes to the proposals.

  • A safer route – In the first consultation, some respondents were worried that the speed and volume of traffic on Thornton Road’s narrower sections would make cycling difficult along the new cycle way. This new route would run along Sunbridge Road from the city centre before joining Thornton Road at its junction with City Road. This would be a quieter route into and out of the city centre with a segregated cycleway.
  • Removal of the northern spur – Following feedback from a number of respondents and a design review, we are no longer proceeding with the proposed northern spur (an additional cycle way off the main route) to the Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI). The design review highlighted that the route is too steep and so a cycleway would not be compliant with LTN1/20, which sets the standards for cycle infrastructure. There would also be significant challenges in installing a segregated cycle track. While the route change means the new cycleway would no longer provide a direct link to the University or College, it would still run close-by and provide improved access by cycle.
  • More planting and greenery – We have increased the number of green spaces in the plans, helping to improve the environment along the route. We are looking at adding new trees, rain gardens, wildflower planting and pocket parks. Plans are still being refined and we welcome your suggestions.
  • Incorporating the updated Highway Code – The government has recently updated the Highway Code to give priority to people on bikes or on foot over cars at junctions and crossings. This means that some vehicle movements from side roads along Thornton Road and Sunbridge Road may need to be restricted. Priority would be provided to people on bikes and on foot at major junctions in line with LTN1/20 and the updated Highway Code. Any proposed restrictions to side roads would be consulted on separately as part of the next consultation stage.
  • Building the route in two phases – We are looking at constructing the route in two phases. Phase One would be from the city centre and heading west up to and including the Cemetery Road junction. Phase Two would complete the route, from Cemetery Road heading further west towards Thornton Village. This is to ensure the busier part of the route will be ready for Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025.
  • Inclusion of a Corridor Improvement Scheme junction – We also propose to include works to a key junction along the route, at Thornton Road/Cemetery Road. This junction is also included within Phase One of the Corridor Improvement Programme, funded by the West Yorkshire Transport Fund, and is currently at detailed design stage. A separate public consultation exercise will be undertaken for the junction improvement scheme in the future.

The 'West Bradford – Cycle Superhighway Extension' will form an extension of the existing Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway. Complementary improvements are also planned at the junction of Thornton Road and Cemetery Road through the West Bradford Junctions Improvement Scheme, and a consultation on this element will be opened in the future.


The Benefits

Promote an active lifestyle: Bradford is the UK’s youngest city - approximately 30% of the population living within 1km of Thornton Road are under the age of 20 – and 70% are under the age of 50. So, with such a young population, it is thought that more people could walk and cycle if we make it easier and safer to do so.

Thornton Road is one of the city’s major routes, with over 23,000 vehicles driving along it every day. It provides a connection from the city centre to residential, education, and employment areas in west Bradford, but is not an attractive place to walk and cycle.

Sustainability: Making Bradford more sustainable is crucial to our future success, but we currently lack the necessary infrastructure to enable people to make sustainable travel choices.

Reduce car reliance: With 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 west Bradford, the scheme will increase the number of realistic options for people to use to get about Bradford without a car. The scheme has also been designed to complement previously delivered cycling schemes to the east, north and south of the City through CityConnect and other funding programmes.

Create clean growth: This will help to reduce congestion along the Thornton Road route, help public transport become more reliable, and continue to grow our economy, creating jobs as Bradford works towards becoming the UK’s leading ‘clean growth’ district.

You can view the map of the West Bradford – Cycle Superhighway here.


Have Your Say

It is important that you get the chance to find out more and shape what the proposals will mean for you and your area. This second round of public consultation on the proposals for the West Bradford – Cycle Superhighway Extension is now underway and we want to hear your views ahead of the detailed design stage.

Future consultations will be posted on Your Voice – please register here if you would like to be kept informed.

You can leave feedback in whatever way works best for you. Fill out our survey below or contact us at:

Email: info@future-bradford.co.uk
Freephone: 0808 196 9119
Freepost: Freepost BFD Highways


Click here to take the survey


This consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 11 October 2022.

If you have any questions about this survey or the project itself, ask us a question.

If you or someone you know is unable to access information online, please get in touch with us using the contact details above. We can arrange a different way to provide information – such as sending more information in the post – so that you or they can get involved.


Next Steps

Once the consultation has closed, we will consider your feedback to refine plans moving forward. Your feedback will help us to understand where we can make improvements to the proposed schemes and ensure that we have considered all opportunities.


This second round of consultation has now closed. Thank you to everyone who gave feedback.

All responses are summarised in the Consultation Outcome Report.

The following information was presented between 30 August - 11 October 2022. Please note the plans have been developed further following the consultation. The plans on this page are not an accurate reflection of the final scheme. To view all updates and the latest information on this project please visit the Future Bradford website.

Introduction

Bradford Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, wants to make it easier to cycle around west Bradford. We are proposing a series of improvements and would like your feedback.

The 'West Bradford - Cycle Superhighway Extension' is an ambitious proposal to build a direct, largely segregated cycle route between Bradford city centre and Thornton village.

The Superhighway Extension would provide a safer, easier, more convenient space for people to cycle between the city centre and areas to the west of the city. The scheme is funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).

How can I get involved?

On this webpage you will find information to help you understand what is proposed and what has changed since the first round of consultation that took place in Summer 2021.

We recommend you look at the maps, read the plans, and view the frequently asked questions, before you complete our survey.

We will also be holding some face-to-face events where you can find out about the proposals from the project team and ask them questions. These will take place on:

  • Friday 23 September at the Broadway Shopping Centre (in front of Superdrug) from 2pm – 7pm
  • Saturday 24 September at the Fairweather Events Hall from 10am – 4pm


Artist's impression of a segregated cycle track


The Aims

  • Make it safer and easier for more people to cycle
  • Reduce congestion and reliance on cars
  • Improve air quality and noise pollution
  • Improve public transport reliability and journey times
  • Empower residents to live healthier lives with more opportunities to be active

The Proposals

The proposed route would begin in the city centre at the junction of Sunbridge Road and Barry Street. Travelling west from the city centre, the route would run along Sunbridge Road, before joining Thornton Road at its junction with City Road, passing Girlington, Crossley Hall and Lower Grange before reaching the village of Thornton:


Overview mapOverview map - click to enlarge and zoom in



Following our first round of consultation between July and August 2021, we reviewed the design of the scheme in response to feedback and have made some changes to the proposals.

  • A safer route – In the first consultation, some respondents were worried that the speed and volume of traffic on Thornton Road’s narrower sections would make cycling difficult along the new cycle way. This new route would run along Sunbridge Road from the city centre before joining Thornton Road at its junction with City Road. This would be a quieter route into and out of the city centre with a segregated cycleway.
  • Removal of the northern spur – Following feedback from a number of respondents and a design review, we are no longer proceeding with the proposed northern spur (an additional cycle way off the main route) to the Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI). The design review highlighted that the route is too steep and so a cycleway would not be compliant with LTN1/20, which sets the standards for cycle infrastructure. There would also be significant challenges in installing a segregated cycle track. While the route change means the new cycleway would no longer provide a direct link to the University or College, it would still run close-by and provide improved access by cycle.
  • More planting and greenery – We have increased the number of green spaces in the plans, helping to improve the environment along the route. We are looking at adding new trees, rain gardens, wildflower planting and pocket parks. Plans are still being refined and we welcome your suggestions.
  • Incorporating the updated Highway Code – The government has recently updated the Highway Code to give priority to people on bikes or on foot over cars at junctions and crossings. This means that some vehicle movements from side roads along Thornton Road and Sunbridge Road may need to be restricted. Priority would be provided to people on bikes and on foot at major junctions in line with LTN1/20 and the updated Highway Code. Any proposed restrictions to side roads would be consulted on separately as part of the next consultation stage.
  • Building the route in two phases – We are looking at constructing the route in two phases. Phase One would be from the city centre and heading west up to and including the Cemetery Road junction. Phase Two would complete the route, from Cemetery Road heading further west towards Thornton Village. This is to ensure the busier part of the route will be ready for Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025.
  • Inclusion of a Corridor Improvement Scheme junction – We also propose to include works to a key junction along the route, at Thornton Road/Cemetery Road. This junction is also included within Phase One of the Corridor Improvement Programme, funded by the West Yorkshire Transport Fund, and is currently at detailed design stage. A separate public consultation exercise will be undertaken for the junction improvement scheme in the future.

The 'West Bradford – Cycle Superhighway Extension' will form an extension of the existing Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway. Complementary improvements are also planned at the junction of Thornton Road and Cemetery Road through the West Bradford Junctions Improvement Scheme, and a consultation on this element will be opened in the future.


The Benefits

Promote an active lifestyle: Bradford is the UK’s youngest city - approximately 30% of the population living within 1km of Thornton Road are under the age of 20 – and 70% are under the age of 50. So, with such a young population, it is thought that more people could walk and cycle if we make it easier and safer to do so.

Thornton Road is one of the city’s major routes, with over 23,000 vehicles driving along it every day. It provides a connection from the city centre to residential, education, and employment areas in west Bradford, but is not an attractive place to walk and cycle.

Sustainability: Making Bradford more sustainable is crucial to our future success, but we currently lack the necessary infrastructure to enable people to make sustainable travel choices.

Reduce car reliance: With 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 west Bradford, the scheme will increase the number of realistic options for people to use to get about Bradford without a car. The scheme has also been designed to complement previously delivered cycling schemes to the east, north and south of the City through CityConnect and other funding programmes.

Create clean growth: This will help to reduce congestion along the Thornton Road route, help public transport become more reliable, and continue to grow our economy, creating jobs as Bradford works towards becoming the UK’s leading ‘clean growth’ district.

You can view the map of the West Bradford – Cycle Superhighway here.


Have Your Say

It is important that you get the chance to find out more and shape what the proposals will mean for you and your area. This second round of public consultation on the proposals for the West Bradford – Cycle Superhighway Extension is now underway and we want to hear your views ahead of the detailed design stage.

Future consultations will be posted on Your Voice – please register here if you would like to be kept informed.

You can leave feedback in whatever way works best for you. Fill out our survey below or contact us at:

Email: info@future-bradford.co.uk
Freephone: 0808 196 9119
Freepost: Freepost BFD Highways


Click here to take the survey


This consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 11 October 2022.

If you have any questions about this survey or the project itself, ask us a question.

If you or someone you know is unable to access information online, please get in touch with us using the contact details above. We can arrange a different way to provide information – such as sending more information in the post – so that you or they can get involved.


Next Steps

Once the consultation has closed, we will consider your feedback to refine plans moving forward. Your feedback will help us to understand where we can make improvements to the proposed schemes and ensure that we have considered all opportunities.


CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

If you have any questions about the consultation or project, let us know below.

Please note, your user name and question will be visible to others, so please don't include any personal details.

  • Share i would like to know if any cycle lane in bradford as had a decrease in traffic because of these schemes. on Facebook Share i would like to know if any cycle lane in bradford as had a decrease in traffic because of these schemes. on Twitter Share i would like to know if any cycle lane in bradford as had a decrease in traffic because of these schemes. on Linkedin Email i would like to know if any cycle lane in bradford as had a decrease in traffic because of these schemes. link

    i would like to know if any cycle lane in bradford as had a decrease in traffic because of these schemes.

    pete robinson asked over 2 years ago

    Hi there,

    Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with us and for your question.

    In answering your question, it is important to note that this cycle way is part of a much wider plan to build a comprehensive cycle network of safe, easy to navigate and convenient cycle routes across the district. As has been shown elsewhere, to significantly increase cycling levels, and decrease vehicle traffic levels, good quality cycle routes and cycle parking that form a comprehensive network of cycle routes have to be available to enable people to not just make one particular journey, but to use cycling to get about for multiple journeys. Bradford, as with most UK cities, currently lacks sufficient high-quality cycle routes to achieve a substantial shift to cycling and to reduce vehicle traffic. This principle of creating a comprehensive network of routes equally applies to cars. If there far fewer roads available, fewer people would drive. However, over many years a comprehensive road network has been developed that enables people to travel where they need to and car trips have increased accordingly.

    Building a comprehensive cycle network takes time. Equally, it takes time for people who would consider cycling to purchase a cycle and get into the habit of using it. However, using government funding ringfenced for cycle routes, we are now developing new cycle routes, such as this one, at a much quicker pace to deliver the network required.

    Despite appreciating the long-term approach required, cycle routes are being monitored to assess the impact they have on traffic flows and the level of car traffic in the district, albeit that we will not see the full benefits of many cycleways until a full active travel network for Bradford is created.

    When determining where to build new cycle routes, we use a tool developed by the government’s Department for Transport called the Propensity to Cycle Tool which allows us to identify where new high-quality cycle routes are likely to lead to increased cycling rates as part of a wider cycle route network. This highlights the west of Bradford corridor as a key location for the city.

    Developing new cycling infrastructure is a key requirement placed on local authorities by the Department for Transport. Transport is responsible for more CO2 emissions than any other area and so, if we want to grow our economy and create jobs, we have to find more sustainable ways for people to travel. That means enabling people who would cycle if the right facilities existed, to do so, to enable Bradford District to achieve its target of 2038 to reach net-zero, and national government to do so for the country by 2050.

    We hope this is useful, but please let us know if you have any further questions or fill out the survey on this website.

    Kind regards,

    The Project Team

Page last updated: 30 May 2024, 12:55 PM