Chaotic scenes have been reported as changes are made to the car park at Bradford Interchange.

Cars were reported to be double-parked alongside taxis and luggage-laden passengers dodged buses as they tried to cross Bridge Street.

Problems arose on the first day of short-stay parking being suspended at the station.

There was also confusion as to what is happening at the short-stay area. Passengers had been told closure of the site was for a week, beginning March 3, to enable remedial work to go ahead, but a large notice outside the entrance says ‘Permanent car park closure’.

Metro says that when the area reopens next week, it will be for picking up, dropping off and the taxi rank only. A spokesman said: “The short-stay area is being reorganised to improve facilities and to better accommodate taxis.

“It has always been pick-up, drop-off only. Originally, there were about ten spaces for people to use for these purposes but because of the work, this will be reduced to five and they will be around the edges of the area rather than down the centre. This should make things much easier for drivers.”

Within hours of the suspension taking effect, an angry passenger, who did not wish to be named, told the Telegraph & Argus: “There was chaos as cars double-parked alongside taxis on the street, with buses trying to get past as passengers tried to cross the road with luggage to waiting cars.

“Longer term, the short-stay parking is now removed. This will cause huge problems for those dropping off elderly or disabled passengers or those with young children and lots of luggage. They need the facility of short-stay parking so someone can help them get their luggage.

“Is short-stay parking not an essential for a major transport interchange?”