WORK to improve access at the main entrance to Bradford Interchange for its nine million passengers has begun.

Construction is expected to take nine weeks in total at a cost of £210,000 and is being phased in order to minimise disruption.

When complete, the project will result in a dedicated taxi rank, a new pick-up and drop-off area for the public, and there will be new and extended pedestrian crossings as well as a new guard railing to improve pedestrian safety.

The area, off Bridge Street, will also be completely resurfaced, with the work coming ahead of major improvements planned for next year.

Safe pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the work as well as a taxi service, but short-stay car parking and general vehicle access will not be available.

A temporary pick-up and drop-off point for Interchange passengers has been made available on Vicar Lane, off the junction with Bridge Street.

Councillor Keith Wakefield, chairman of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s transport committee said: “Bradford Interchange is used by nine million bus and train passengers every year and this work will provide the vast majority of them, who use the main entrance with more attractive surroundings designed to ensure their safety and maintain accessibility.

“This scheme will help to provide a more attractive welcome to Bradford city centre and is a precursor to major improvement we have planned which will result in a new frontage, better pedestrian access and improved facilities, scheduled to start in autumn 2019.”

Information about the scheme, including the planned layout can be found on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website at wymetro.com/bradfordinterchangeaccess.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, said: “These improvements will make the area outside Bradford Interchange much more welcoming and practical for people using the station ahead of further work in starting next year. It’s the first thing many people experience when they visit Bradford and this will make the main entrance far more attractive.

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“Improving the Interchange is also key to our longer-term ambition to ensure that Bradford city centre gets a high-speed rail station on the Northern Powerhouse Rail line linking Leeds and Manchester, and beyond. That Bradford stop has already been supported by Transport for the North in its draft strategic transport plan which has been published for consultation.”

In February, the Combined Authority approved a £5.65 million scheme to improve the Interchange as a gateway to Bradford city centre. Further stages would see wholesale improvements to the Interchange’s layout and facilities improving the way passengers use the building and move from one transport mode to another, paving the way for improved Calder Valley rail services and a central Bradford stop on the planned Northern Powerhouse Rail or HS3 route.