Traffic chaos threatens Bradford city centre next week as parts of Bank Street close for a month during a major improvement scheme.

The £315,000 project is aimed at reducing city centre traffic and making the streets safer for pedestrians.

From next Monday Bank Street will be closed for a ten-metre stretch from its junction with Hall Ings.

And when the junction re-opens four weeks later the current one-way traffic flow in Broadway and Bank Street from the Bridge Street direction will be reversed.

It will mean the removal of the through route from Sunbridge Road via Broadway to Hall Ings and Leeds Road and help reduce traffic flows.

The project is the latest phase of Bradford Council's rolling programme for a new look city centre which has included building Centenary Square and park, and improving Bridge Street.

Servicing and access traffic will be able to get from Sunbridge Road to Leeds Road via the link road behind City Hall, but through traffic will be encouraged to use Godwin Street and Princes Way.

Motorists are also advised to use the Godwin Street diversion to reduce disruption during the improvement work which is on schedule and will take another ten weeks to complete.

Delivery access to Broadway and Bank Street is being maintained during work on the scheme, which also includes new lighting, wider pavements and improved crossings in Broadway and Bank Street.

Temporary fencing and barriers are being used to provide safe paths for pedestrians who are advised to cross Bank Street only at junctions with market Street, Broadway and Hall Ings, while work is in progress.

The scheme al so includes a continental style pavement caf area and a giant draughts board.

There are also facilities for bikers, with a cycling lane in Broadway from Centenary Square to Bank Street.

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