People have been urged to return to Bradford’s much transformed city centre now much of the works to pedestrianise once busy roads is nearing completion.
Much of the fencing that has turned the city centre into a maze of roadworks for most of 2024 has now been removed, with Hall Ings remaining the only area of major works.
The bulk of the Transforming Cities Fund work will be completed by the end of the year – although planting on the newly extended Norfolk Gardens Park is likely to continue into 2025.
The chair of Bradford’s Civic Society has said it was “very satisfying” to see the city’s historic streets re-opened after months of disruption.
The huge project was first announced in 2020, with the Conservative Government awarding West Yorkshire Combined Authority millions to help make Bradford city centre a more attractive place.
The past week has seen further planting in the new public spaces, including in a raised plaza on Broadway, at a new traffic turning circle at the bottom of Sunbridge Road and in a new ground level planter on Bridge Street – once one of Bradford’s busiest roads.
Planting has also taken place in front of Bradford Live.
Other changes this week include the installation of number of street benches styled to look like wool crates.
The stone seating has been installed on Market Street near Bradford’s former textile hub – the Wool Exchange.
However, the street furniture has already divided opinion.
One X user @curlyharis posted a photo of one of the seats on X, tagging Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe. He said: “They look straight from a school panto and do nothing but act as eyesores.
“All the talent in Bradford and that’s the best we can do?”
Si Cunningham, Chair of Bradford Civic Society, said the works helped draw attention back to the city’s grand buildings. He said: “It’s very satisfying to see the city’s historic streets opened up again and looking absolutely fantastic after many months of disruption.
“The quality of design and craftmanship is particularly impressive, and I’ve been struck by how much it already improves the setting of City Hall, the Wool Exchange, and St Georges Hall in particular.
“The people of Bradford have been very patient during the work, but now is the time to come back into town and support the pubs, cafes, and shops.
“In my opinion, the city centre looks so much better than it did ten years ago, so I think the disruption will be worth it in the long run.”
