Have your say on the South Bradford Park and Ride proposals

Article dated Friday Nov 17, 2023 at 09:15 AM

Bradford Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, has launched a public consultation about the South Bradford Park and Ride Scheme.

The proposals include a series of walking, cycling and public transport improvements for people travelling from south of the Bradford district into the city centre.

The new measures would reduce bus journey times and offer better cycling routes, alongside a longer-term ambition to deliver a Park and Ride service in the future.

These improvements aim to reduce congestion and pollution along Manchester Road.

In summer 2021, Bradford Council consulted on proposals for a full Park and Ride scheme. Since then, the project team has created a new set of proposals which both reflect public feedback and respond to budget pressures caused by rising costs.

The latest proposals include:

  • New, targeted bus measures along Manchester Road including priority at key junctions and a new lane for quicker journey times.
  • A new cycle route from the former Richard Dunn Sports Centre into the city centre, linking to the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 66. This will offer a dedicated, quieter route away from main roads, and connections to the wider cycling network.
  • A new Park & Ride on the city’s outskirts, with a car park and bus terminal on land currently used for event parking at Odsal stadium on the site of the former Richard Dunn Sports Centre. With a secure car park and cheaper journey costs, the Park & Ride would provide an alternative to driving into the city, meeting demand for parking during major events at the forthcoming Bradford Live arena and when Bradford is UK City of Culture in 2025. The former Richard Dunn Sports Centre building would remain unaffected by the facility.

Commenting on the proposals, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The Manchester Road corridor is a vital route into and out of Bradford city centre, and one which currently suffers from high levels of pollution and congestion. By asking residents what they think about our proposals, we hope to present alternative options for those who wish to use them, and that better infrastructure will lead to easier journeys for all. We’d encourage everyone to view the proposals and let us know what you think.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We are investing millions of pounds to make it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport in and around Bradford. This is part of our work to create a more inclusive and better-connected region. Your opinion matters, so please make the most of this opportunity to shape these proposals to transform travel between south Bradford and the city centre.”

The consultation is open for six weeks, from Thursday 9 November to Thursday 21 December.

People will be able to have their say at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/southbradfordpandr or by:

  • Emailing info@future-bradford.co.uk
  • Calling 0808 196 9119, or
  • Writing to Freepost BFD Highways.

There will also be face-to-face events where people can find out about the proposals from the project team and ask questions. These will take place on:

  • Thursday 23 November 2023 between 2-6pm at the Sedbergh Sports Centre, Cleckheaton Road, BD12 0HQ
  • Thursday 30 November 2023 between 1-5pm at City Hall, Centenary Square, BD1 1HY

Most of the scheme is being delivered through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which is aimed at making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

This includes the development work for the Park & Ride scheme, as well as the delivery of the cycling route and the bus improvements.

Additional funding is being sought for the delivery of the Park & Ride (car park and terminal building).

About West Yorkshire Combined Authority

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority brings together the local authorities of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield, and is chaired by the Mayor of West Yorkshire. Working in partnership, we develop and deliver policies, programmes and services which directly benefit the people of West Yorkshire. Our vision is to create a West Yorkshire that is prosperous, well connected, safe, inclusive and a hotbed of creativity and sustainability. For more information visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk.

About the Transforming Cities Fund

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

The £457 million programme, which is being delivered by the Combined Authority in partnership with local authorities, is being paid for with money from the Department for Transport (DfT) and local match funding.

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, helping to create happier healthier communities for the future.

It is estimated 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.

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

Underline image
RSS Feed Symbol Subscribe to RSS feed

Recent stories