Efforts are underway to reopen Bradford Interchange bus station by January 2025, amid structural safety concerns.
- The station, closed since January due to structural deterioration, is crucial for West Yorkshire’s economy.
- Necessary mitigation measures will be implemented before the reopening to ensure safety.
- Extensive repairs have been ongoing, with over £13M spent over the past decade to maintain operations.
- Final decisions regarding reopening will be contingent upon results of additional inspections and reports.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is actively working with engineering firm Jacobs to devise plans for the reopening of Bradford Interchange bus station by January 2025. The station has remained closed since January of this year due to significant concerns over its structural integrity. Initial damage assessments revealed widespread water infiltration and corrosion in the steel structures, which rendered the facility unsafe for public use. Consequently, WYCA endorsed the closure as a necessary action to prevent potential hazards.
The bus station, having reached the end of its 50-year design life, faced operational challenges exacerbated by the severe water ingress and disintegration of concrete in its basement. This situation prompted the need for immediate intervention, as evidenced by spending over £13M in repairs during the previous decade. Given its importance as a major economic and cultural hub in the region, accommodating approximately 9 million passengers annually, the need for reopening was pressing.
Jacobs corroborated WYCA’s decision to shut the station, indicating the structural unsafety for reopening without extensive mitigation efforts. Recent engineering reports presented to WYCA suggest the feasibility of reopening with specific safety measures in place. These proposed mitigations include continuous structural monitoring, periodic safety inspections, and protective netting installation in the basement areas. Planned initiatives also cover staged reopening processes coupled with a comprehensive incident management plan to address potential emergencies.
Structural evaluations confirmed the viability of the facility operating with minimal risk if these control measures are executed. While Bradford Interchange’s infrastructure has surpassed its intended design life, appropriate investment and strategic implementations can extend its operational longevity. The extent of investment required will be deliberated in WYCA’s upcoming October report, following the completion of thorough surveys.
WYCA remains committed to advancing plans towards the station’s reopening, aiming for progress by early next year. The outcome ultimately depends on fulfilling a final set of checks and due diligence, scheduled for completion by October. Amidst these endeavours, WYCA also outlines future strategies for developing an alternate bus station facility, integrating into a proposed £2.5 billion West Yorkshire mass transit network.
WYCA’s awareness of the public inconvenience caused by the prolonged closure is prominent in its narrative. Both West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and WYCA Transport Committee Chair Susan Hinchcliffe expressed empathy toward affected communities, highlighting the station’s critical role in local transit. Their statements acknowledge the necessity of prioritising public safety while striving to minimise disruptions, reflecting the balanced approach towards infrastructure management.
The reopening of Bradford Interchange bus station hinges on the implementation of key safety measures and further inspections.
