“HOT spots” in Bradford that bus operators say can prevent them from delivering a reliable service could be tackled thanks to millions in Government funding.
Girlington, Eccleshill, Laisterdyke and Holme Top are among the areas that could see road improvements to help bus services run smoother – although no exact locations or streets have been identified yet.
Rawdon and Menston, on the border or Bradford and Leeds, would also be included.
Although the Government’s Levelling Up fund announcement was a disappointment to most Councils in West Yorkshire, with four Bradford schemes missing out, West Yorkshire Combined Authority was awarded over £41m to improve bus services in the region.
Details of what that funding could be used towards were revealed at a meeting of the Authority’s Transport Committee on Friday.
A report to members said some of the money would be used to improve bus routes in Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield – although specifics have not yet been decided.
It said certain areas had been identified as “points of delay” by bus operators.
Other work will include improvements to 14 bus stations and 500 bus stops in West Yorkshire.
This could include solar panels or “green roofs” – with plants and grass growing on top of bus shelters.
Further real time information screens would be added to bus stops and changing places toilets could be added to more bus stations.
Work to make bus stops and stations easier to access, which could include new pedestrian crossings, and more help points in stations could also be included.
The report said: “The bus journey improvements package will also enable improvements to be made at a number of locations (“bus hotspots”) identified as points of delay by bus operators in Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield.
“Further scheme development, consultation and engagement is required to identify preferred schemes at these locations that address the issues raised by operators and are deliverable within the programme timescales, but these locations include Girlington, Eccleshill, Holme Top, Laisterdyke (Bradford district); Leeds city centre, Garforth, Burmantofts, Horsforth, Rawdon and Menston (Leeds District); Pontefract, south Wakefield city and Hemsworth (Wakefield District).”
In Calderdale and Kirklees similar projects would be funded through other projects.
The report says: “Improvements will also result in environmental improvements to reduce energy use and support nature recovery.”
The meeting was told that the £41m bid was “provisionally” accepted by Government, but further work was needed before the cash was officially handed over.
The Combined Authority would add another £6m to the Government cash to carry out the work.
The Government funding would need to be spent by 2026.
