Bradford Interchange bus station closure update as report due

Bradford Interchange has been closed since early January after a block of concrete fell into an underground car park.

The long-awaited results of different site surveys - including investigations to determine the building's "viability" - will be discussed at a key meeting led by the Mayor of West Yorkshire.

It follows a T&A report that the Interchange’s closure was not featured on the agenda for West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (WYCA) first Transport Committee in months.

Surveys carried out at the Interchange in January (Image: Newsquest)

The only mention of Bradford Interchange in the 158 page agenda is a reference to how the closure has affected Metro travel centre sales volumes.

Members will however be asked to approve £3.5m funding for a new roof for Leeds bus station, to help “stop disruption to passengers.”

In a statement sent on Saturday, a spokesperson for WYCA said: “We closed Bradford Interchange bus station because public safety is our top priority and we continue to work with Bradford Council to limit disruption.

“We will be providing a detailed report at next month’s meeting of the Combined Authority when we will know more from the survey work which is currently underway.”

Leader of Bradford Council, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, who is chair of WYCA’s transport committee, has since responded to say the Interchange’s closure is “hugely frustrating” for the public.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said the full report on Bradford Interchange’s closure will be brought to WYCA’s main meeting, run by Tracy Brabin, on June 20, 2024.

• 'I won't open Bradford Interchange bus station until it's safe to do so' - Mayor of West Yorkshire

The council leader said: "The closure of the interchange is hugely frustrating, creating an impact on passengers and visitors to Bradford. 

"West Yorkshire Combined Authority are bringing a full report to the main Combined Authority meeting, which is led by the Mayor, on June 20.  This allows time for the current extensive surveys on the building to be progressed. The Transport Committee is a sub-committee of the Combined Authority and not the only place spending decisions on projects like this are made.

"The Council continue to work with WYCA, who operate the interchange, to minimise disruption as much as possible and bring forward a solution once the results of the full survey are reported back."

The closure of the Interchange has caused huge issues with bus transport in Bradford, with passengers having to use temporary stops dotted around the city centre.