SHOPPING streets under cover, a glass atrium linking the Alhambra and former Odeon and the merging of Bradford’s two railway stations.

 

These are just some of the ideas unveiled by a senior opposition councillor in his vision for developing Bradford city centre.

 

Councillor John Pennington, deputy leader of Bradford Council’s Conservative group, has said he hopes the authority’s Labour leaders take the ideas on, as they will get the Tories’ full backing if they do.

He said: “Let’s get Bradford working again and let’s support out businesses.”

 

Under Cllr Pennington’s plan, key shopping streets such as Darley Street, Kirkgate and Ivegate, would be covered at rooftop level with polythene sheeting, creating a space for an indoor-outdoor market.

 

There would be free parking for up to two hours during the day, a new taxi rank outside the Alhambra Theatre and the return of the £1 hop-on hop-off City Bus.

 

His report adds: “Picture a refurbished Odeon connected to the Alhambra by a glass atrium containing a restaurant with panoramic views over the City Park fountains and up-to-date toilet facilities.”

 

And he suggested that, with or without a new high-speed rail station for Bradford, there should still be a crossrail scheme to merge the city’s two existing stations, possibly using tunnels.

 

Cllr Pennington (Bingley) also called for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to immediately release £325,000 of funding allocated to Bradford Live for its project to reopen the former Odeon building as a venue.

 

As the Telegraph & Argus reported yesterday, the money hasn’t been released because an operator has not yet signed up to the project.

 

Bradford Council’s ruling Labour group didn’t rule out taking forward some of the ideas.

 

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “We’re all ambitious for Bradford and I know Cllr Pennington is too.

 

“Many of the ideas in his plan have been discussed over the years and I’m sure will be discussed again.

 

“We’re always happy to work cross-party where we agree in the interests of the district and we’ve welcomed the Conservatives’ support for our ‘Next Stop Bradford’ campaign to get a Northern Powerhouse Rail station based in Bradford city centre.”

 

Cllr Pennington said he was now hoping to gauge people’s views on his ideas. Anyone interested in seeing the report and giving feedback can email john@thepenningtons.co.uk.