A new public plaza and improvements to the lower concourse and rail station access ramp at the Interchange have created an enhanced gateway to the city centre in a bid to attract more people to use the bus and train.
Passengers and residents will now benefit from newly refurbished toilets, enhanced flooring and ceiling, and new artwork inside the lower concourse creating a welcoming entrance as well as complementing Bradford City of Culture 2025 celebrations.
The area outside the entrance has been transformed into a new public plaza area with fresh paving, seating and planting. Taxis are now easily located on Bridge Street, just outside the Interchange.
The ramped access to the train station has been resurfaced with new lighting, handrails and artwork also installed.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “We have transformed the look and feel of Bradford Interchange into a fantastic gateway to the city.
“This facelift during the City of Culture year will leave a lasting impact as we aim to encourage more people onto public transport.
“Combined with our wider investment in the city centre, this is all part of our vision for a modern, greener, integrated transport network that works for all.”
The £4 million project has been delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with Bradford Council via funding from the Transforming Cities Fund.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “I’m pleased to see this investment from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in the Interchange.
“Along with the wider Transforming Cities Fund works, Bradford Live, One City Park, Darley St Market and plans for City Village moving forward, the regeneration of Bradford city centre is now really accelerating.
“The facilities at the station are enhanced and using the Transforming Cities Fund from the Combined Authority has made a huge improvement to this city gateway, complementing the wider public realm improvements.”
As part of the wider vision for the city centre, the Hall Ings car park has been demolished to create a new green space with footpaths, landscaping, artwork, planting and lighting, which is expected to be finished later this Spring.
This all ties into the ongoing city centre works, which are due to complete in April, boosting connectivity and improving the visitor experience.
The Combined Authority is also continuing to push the case for a new railway station in Bradford and is working with the Council and Government to make that happen.
Earlier this year, the Bradford Interchange bus station reopened after a decision was made to close it in January 2024 to protect the public after some concrete fell in the basement.
The majority of bus services have returned to the station, with just eleven services remaining on-street at Nelson Street. These services will return to the Interchange once the ongoing surfacing works are complete.
