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Plans are being drawn up to safely reopen Bradford Interchange bus station by January 2025, it can be announced.

• Experts have advised that Bradford Interchange bus station could safely reopen with appropriate safety measures.
• Final detailed surveys are still underway but the Combined Authority is working at pace on plans to bring the structure back into operation by January 2025.
• A longer-term plan for an alternative bus station facility in Bradford city centre will also be drawn up.

Initial findings from structural surveys have found that the risk of reopening is low when mitigated by appropriate safety measures, a report published today ahead of next week’s Combined Authority meeting has revealed.

Combined Authority officers took a decision to close the bus station in January, to protect the public and staff due to safety fears after some concrete fell in the basement.

Following a number of detailed reports from engineers, the Combined Authority is reassured that the Interchange can safely reopen with appropriate mitigations in place. Structural investigations found the risk of resuming operations – once these appropriate control measures have been implemented - is low.

Final detailed surveys are still underway but the Combined Authority is now working at pace on plans to bring the structure back into operation by January 2025.

The Combined Authority is also preparing longer-term plans for an alternative bus station facility in Bradford city centre.

Health and safety is of paramount importance to the Combined Authority and a package of additional checks and due diligence will now be carried out before a final decision on the timing of the reopening is made in October.

Mitigation measures include structural monitoring through periodic safety inspections and the provision of netting in the basement, alongside a staged reopening and preparation of an incident management plan.

Work is also underway to ensure the bus station would be safe for passengers after months of being out of operation, with checks on fire escapes, lifts and doors needed.

It follows a decision over the summer to reopen the lower concourse of the Interchange, to improve access to the Interchange railway station. The lower concourse will reopen by the end of October.

Experts commissioned by the Combined Authority have confirmed that the rationale for the closure was robust based on the evidence at the time, and the remediation plan will be supervised by qualified advisers.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

“We know the closure of the bus station has caused real hardship for the people of Bradford and West Yorkshire and I want to thank the public for their patience.

“It was the right decision to make at the time, but I’m really encouraged by the survey findings being outlined today and relieved that it can be reopened once mitigations have been implemented.

“Though the formal decision still needs to be made, we will be working flat out so we can see the Interchange safely reopen as soon as possible.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council and Chair of the Combined Authority's transport committee, said:

"I recognise how incredibly challenging this has been for passengers and local businesses, and the inconvenience and disruption this has caused, so I'm very relieved that the Combined Authority is now mobilising to re-open the interchange.

"We'll be working closely with the combined authority to make sure that it reopens as soon as possible.”

The Combined Authority has been reassured that while the structure has reached the end of its design life, it can remain operational for longer with a certain level of investment.

In addition, work is now starting on a longer-term plan, capitalising on the exciting programme to bring Mass Transit to Bradford, with an alternative multimodal bus interchange facility in the city centre plan being drawn up in the coming months.

A detailed report covering all aspects of the Interchange and its future will be brought to the October Combined Authority meeting for members to make a final decision, along with timescales for reopening.

Further Information

Papers were published today ahead of next week's Combined Authority meeting which will include this substantial update on Bradford Interchange bus station:

westyorkshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=1398