The majority of the major infrastructure project to transform Bradford city centre is now complete. All major changes to the road network, the new bus loop, and the pedestrian core area are in place.

Construction work began in July 2023 as part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund. Key changes include a new Croft Street gyratory, a new pedestrian and cyclist crossing, and significant improvements around the National Science and Media Museum and Alhambra Theatre.

The new bus loop connects key areas of the city centre, including North Parade, The Broadway Shopping Centre, and the university area. New cycleways and bus stops have been installed throughout the city centre.

All new pedestrianised areas are now open to the public, creating a safer and more accessible space for pedestrians. Landscaping and planting are mostly complete, with the remaining work to be finished early in the new year.

Work in the Norfolk Gardens area, the final piece of the project, is progressing well, with the majority of the groundwork now complete. The project team will return to the city centre after the festive break to complete this final section.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport praised the work of those constructing the scheme and said: “The teams working on the scheme have pulled out all the stops to get the project to this stage in time for the Christmas break.

“We are already seeing the benefits of moving the heavy traffic out of the core of the city centre. Air quality has improved, and the new traffic-free public spaces are making it easier to get around and between shopping and entertainment areas.

“As each area has been opened up the feedback from the public has been great and we can’t wait to showcase Bradford to the country next year as the UK City of Culture. The remaining work at Norfolk Gardens to complete the project will begin in earnest in the new year and is scheduled to be completed in the next few months, creating a fantastic new green park in the heart of the city centre.”

The Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvements project is being delivered through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund, which is a capital grant transport fund, provided by the Department for Transport and cannot be used for other purposes, such as delivering day to day services or other projects.

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