A PUBLIC consultation carried out in Forster Square Station last week has revealed the majority of those asked approve of the new-style station planned.

Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) together with Network Rail and train operator Northern are planning a major redevelopment of the station, costing around £17 million.

The station is one of the key schemes of the £1 billion West Yorkshire Plus Transport fund.

Proposals include replacing the existing station building as well as the lift and staircase tower, creating a larger building with a modern and airy design, including glass frontage.

Speaking at a meeting of the environment and waste overview and scrutiny committee last  night , senior transport planner Tom Jones said the results were only an indication as the poll still has tomorrow to run.

Mr Jones said: “The consultation included a two-day public engagement and will allow the closure of the outline design stage and progression to the next stage, that of Full Business Case.

“This work to procure services to develop the FBC will commence in early 2018.

“Of the results so far, 341 responses have been made online and 400 paper responses.

“Eighty five per cent approve of the design, with a proportion of these “strongly” approving.

“Suggestions most featured include toilets, a heated waiting room, a cafe and newsagents facilities.”

Committee chairman Councillor Martin Love asked when the work would be completed and was told by the end of the financial year 2020/2021. The completion date was significant to ensure funding from the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund.

Councillor Nussrat Mohammed asked if security was going to be featured.

Mr Jones said there would be CCTV as well as other ways to improve and increase security as part of the business plan.

One of the measures would be to change the nature of ticketing and not have ticket staff behind a screen but inside the station.

Councillor Love asked if the redesign of the station was going to include looking at the approach to the station.

“At the side of the lines it is invariably clogged up with litter, a lot of which has blown over from the retail park.

“We need to make the arrival experience for people coming into the city by train more pleasant because it not great.

Mr Jones said he “couldn’t agree more” and said he had raised the same issue on several occasions but added that the redevelopment was very much a specific station project and said the litter matter could possibly be raised with Bradford Council.

Key features of the improved outline design are a much larger building with a modern airy design; two new lifts to provide access to Cheapside/Manor Row, a glass front and “green” roof; incorporation of the arches and lifts into the building; pods inserted into the arches to provide extra station facilities; secure cycle storage, cash machine, cafe, toilet; improved layout and access on the Valley Road side; heated waiting room; clear up of the overgrown area behind the station and provision of a green space or “pocket park”.

Members welcomed the report and asked that a further report be brought back to the committee in February.